Roberto Martínez, Portugal coach:
“We started the game well, scored a goal, but it had a bad effect on our performance. We began to keep hold of the ball but without threatening their goal and we lost a lot of depth.
“Congratulation to DR Congo, who carried out their plan very well. They won a lot of duels and kept up the physical intensity to the end. It was difficult for us to get into their box, with DR Congo defending with a line of five.
“When we need a goal, Ronaldo has to be on the pitch.
“All the talk about winning the World Cup, winning the World Cup, probably doesn’t help us win games.
“Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in the first game of the last World Cup and ended up winning it. It’s a process.”
João Cancelo, Portugal full-back:
“Congratulations to Congo, because they played a good game. We were favourites for this game, but football’s like that and today there are no easy teams. I think it was an atypical match. We have to have more quality on the ball and create more goal-scoring chances.
“It’s a World Cup and all teams here have a lot of quality. We saw the Spain-Cape Verde game when they were expected to win and they drew. We have to stay grounded, keep working hard like we have been doing, because, like I’ve said before we have a higher force up there with us who is Diogo Jota, and we have to fight for us and for him.”
Rafael Leão, Portugal winger:
“Congo were defensively solid; they managed to block our moves. We have to correct the mistakes we made collectively for their goal.
“Yes, it’s an alarming result, of course, because we made a mistake in a match situation where they are very strong, and where they have strong players in that situation. We have to recharge our batteries, rest and focus on the next game, so we can start strongly and win the three points.”
