Bold changes and strategic decisions have marked the journey of the greatest world champions, but is Roberto Martínez prepared to take the same risks for the Portuguese dream? Following the disappointing draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo (1-1), the spotlight has turned to the national coach, who is under pressure to break the cycle and seek inspiration from history to lead Portugal to ultimate glory.
Roberto Martínez did not hide his frustration after the match but sought to put the setback into perspective, recalling notable examples of world champions who also started poorly: “The World Cup is a tournament where these things happen. There are moments when performances are not at the level. Remember that in the World Cup in Qatar, Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia and then went on to win the World Cup; in 2010, Spain lost to Switzerland and won the World Cup. And those were not performances from teams that could be winners, but they were. It’s a process,” Martínez stated after the draw.
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However, statistics do not lie: in 22 final stages of World Championships, only two champion teams lost the opening match. In other words, more than 90% of the winners began their journey with a victory, or at least with a draw. And even in those cases, there were immediate consequences: changes in the starting eleven, bold decisions, and quick responses from the coaches.
The history is full of lessons for those willing to listen. England, in 1966, drew in their opening match, but Alf Ramsey did not hesitate to make changes to the team, altering two positions for the second game – and won, paving the way for an unprecedented victory. Italy, in 1982, was an exception, maintaining the same eleven after the initial draw, but continued to draw until they found the right path, in a unique journey. Spain, in 2010, suffered a shock with a defeat against Switzerland. Coach Vicente Del Bosque reacted immediately, changing two positions in the following match and securing a crucial victory. Argentina, in 2022, did not deviate from the rule: Lionel Scaloni, pressured by the defeat, revolutionized the lineup and transformed the fate of a team that seemed doomed, ultimately becoming world champions.
Martínez was clear in the press conference in defending the idea that “it is a process,” but history is unforgiving for those who insist on making the same mistakes. Even Albert Einstein appears as an indirect reference, with the famous phrase: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” The national coach will have to decide whether it is time to give minutes to Trincão, Félix, or one of the Gonçalos, lest he see the Portuguese dream fade away before it truly begins.
Pressure is mounting not only due to recent history but also because of the demands of Portuguese fans, who witnessed Portugal exceed all expectations at Euro 2016, even without winning in the group stage. However, the stakes are different at the World Cup. The statistics do not lie: those who do not win early rarely lift the trophy. And, as the examples of England, Spain, and Argentina show, only the boldness to change can turn the tide.
The next match will be crucial for Portugal and for Martínez. Another draw or, worse still, a defeat could mean the premature end of yet another World Cup campaign, leaving behind a generation of talent that cannot be wasted. The responsibility now lies with the Spanish coach: to remain true to his ideas or to take risks, reinvent the lineup, and surprise the opponents.
If Martínez truly wants to etch his name in the exclusive list of World Cup champions, he must prove that he has learned from history—and, above all, that he has the courage to change when Portugal needs it most. In the coming days, all eyes will be on his choices. The time for hesitation is over. The time to change is now.
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