As positive because the solar rising within the east and setting within the west, Cristiano Ronaldo’s title appeared on Portugal’s team-sheet on Friday night time. Maybe for the final time. However there was no romanticism about his choice, Roberto Martinez wished him there.
Solely goalkeeper Diogo Costa performed extra minutes for Portugal this summer time, as their match ceased with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to France. It felt like an abrupt finish for one of many world’s biggest footballing skills, who shed extra tears at these championships than he did a lot else.
This time, although, the tears weren’t Ronaldo’s. As a substitute, the Portugal captain’s function was to console a weeping Pepe as one other painful quarter-final exit got here into full focus.
Portugal generated an xG of 9.41 over the 5 video games they performed, however solely scored 3 times (5 in the event you embrace personal objectives scored by Czech Republic’s Robin Hranac and Turkey’s Samet Akaydin). Ronaldo’s private tally amounted to zero.
Why, then, was the 39-year-old chosen to steer the road in opposition to France over the abundance of expertise stationed on Portugal’s exceptionally-gifted bench? Neither Diogo Jota nor Goncalo Ramos even made it onto the pitch, regardless of the sport going the total distance – Martinez endured together with his labouring frontman for your complete 120 minutes. Bruno Fernandes was changed with quarter-hour to go, however not Ronaldo.
Extra alarming nonetheless, is that Portugal didn’t rating a single objective throughout any of their remaining three fixtures. A 2-0 defeat to Georgia (with a severely-weakened facet, that also included Ronaldo), was adopted up by goalless stalemates in opposition to Slovenia after which fatefully France. Absolutely Martinez was feeling the stress? Or maybe the Portuguese following, and press, are additionally afraid of what a Ronaldo backlash would do to the perceived stability of a facet so typically saved by their famed No 7.
As a result of, let’s face it, Ronaldo’s choice was not made on advantage, it was dictated by the rigours of fame. Martinez was scared to depart him out. Ronaldo’s unwavering self-belief within the face of mounting proof on the contrary permeated all inside the Portugal camp – there was little argument to be made. Actually not one deemed legitimate sufficient to face the nice man down.
And so Jota, Ramos and co watched on as Ronaldo loved six fewer touches of the ball than goalkeeper Costa – and fewer than some other Portuguese participant. They agonised as Portugal created, backed up by superior xG knowledge (1.84 to France’s 1.14), the extra presentable possibilities of the 2 sides with out discovering the online. And eventually, they despaired as France’s Theo Hernandez struck the decisive penalty.
Neither Jota, Ramos or certainly some other forward-minded substitute – reserve some sympathy for Pedro Neto too – was afforded the possibility to influence the sport. Thus the fascination, or slightly frustration, with Ronaldo’s ever-presence – he did convert his spot-kick through the shoot-out – solely grows. Of the 2 photographs he tried in open play, just one hit the goal, albeit, within the spirit of steadiness, he was charitable sufficient to permit Fernandes the possibility to strike one among his prized free kicks.
Nonetheless, it stays a symptom of a wider stubbornness on each his and Portugal’s behalf that neither he nor his nation can transfer on from his glory days.
Ronaldo has represented Portugal at six European Championships and 4 World Cups. He holds the all-time document for many worldwide objectives with 130, and is his nation’s most-capped participant (212). His general complete of 14 objectives is probably the most ever at Euros finals – for context, France nice Michel Platini is second with 9.
And perhaps these details present as compelling a rationale as any as to why the Portugal supervisor stood by his talisman till the final. However this, Ronaldo’s remaining Euros hurrah, has ended with out an in-game objective, and certainly, an unavoidable realisation that it’s time to transfer on to the following technology.
As positive because the solar rising within the east and setting within the west, Cristiano Ronaldo’s title appeared on Portugal’s team-sheet on Friday night time. Maybe for the final time. However there was no romanticism about his choice, Roberto Martinez wished him there.
Solely goalkeeper Diogo Costa performed extra minutes for Portugal this summer time, as their match ceased with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to France. It felt like an abrupt finish for one of many world’s biggest footballing skills, who shed extra tears at these championships than he did a lot else.
This time, although, the tears weren’t Ronaldo’s. As a substitute, the Portugal captain’s function was to console a weeping Pepe as one other painful quarter-final exit got here into full focus.
Portugal generated an xG of 9.41 over the 5 video games they performed, however solely scored 3 times (5 in the event you embrace personal objectives scored by Czech Republic’s Robin Hranac and Turkey’s Samet Akaydin). Ronaldo’s private tally amounted to zero.
Why, then, was the 39-year-old chosen to steer the road in opposition to France over the abundance of expertise stationed on Portugal’s exceptionally-gifted bench? Neither Diogo Jota nor Goncalo Ramos even made it onto the pitch, regardless of the sport going the total distance – Martinez endured together with his labouring frontman for your complete 120 minutes. Bruno Fernandes was changed with quarter-hour to go, however not Ronaldo.
Extra alarming nonetheless, is that Portugal didn’t rating a single objective throughout any of their remaining three fixtures. A 2-0 defeat to Georgia (with a severely-weakened facet, that also included Ronaldo), was adopted up by goalless stalemates in opposition to Slovenia after which fatefully France. Absolutely Martinez was feeling the stress? Or maybe the Portuguese following, and press, are additionally afraid of what a Ronaldo backlash would do to the perceived stability of a facet so typically saved by their famed No 7.
As a result of, let’s face it, Ronaldo’s choice was not made on advantage, it was dictated by the rigours of fame. Martinez was scared to depart him out. Ronaldo’s unwavering self-belief within the face of mounting proof on the contrary permeated all inside the Portugal camp – there was little argument to be made. Actually not one deemed legitimate sufficient to face the nice man down.
And so Jota, Ramos and co watched on as Ronaldo loved six fewer touches of the ball than goalkeeper Costa – and fewer than some other Portuguese participant. They agonised as Portugal created, backed up by superior xG knowledge (1.84 to France’s 1.14), the extra presentable possibilities of the 2 sides with out discovering the online. And eventually, they despaired as France’s Theo Hernandez struck the decisive penalty.
Neither Jota, Ramos or certainly some other forward-minded substitute – reserve some sympathy for Pedro Neto too – was afforded the possibility to influence the sport. Thus the fascination, or slightly frustration, with Ronaldo’s ever-presence – he did convert his spot-kick through the shoot-out – solely grows. Of the 2 photographs he tried in open play, just one hit the goal, albeit, within the spirit of steadiness, he was charitable sufficient to permit Fernandes the possibility to strike one among his prized free kicks.
Nonetheless, it stays a symptom of a wider stubbornness on each his and Portugal’s behalf that neither he nor his nation can transfer on from his glory days.
Ronaldo has represented Portugal at six European Championships and 4 World Cups. He holds the all-time document for many worldwide objectives with 130, and is his nation’s most-capped participant (212). His general complete of 14 objectives is probably the most ever at Euros finals – for context, France nice Michel Platini is second with 9.
And perhaps these details present as compelling a rationale as any as to why the Portugal supervisor stood by his talisman till the final. However this, Ronaldo’s remaining Euros hurrah, has ended with out an in-game objective, and certainly, an unavoidable realisation that it’s time to transfer on to the following technology.
As positive because the solar rising within the east and setting within the west, Cristiano Ronaldo’s title appeared on Portugal’s team-sheet on Friday night time. Maybe for the final time. However there was no romanticism about his choice, Roberto Martinez wished him there.
Solely goalkeeper Diogo Costa performed extra minutes for Portugal this summer time, as their match ceased with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to France. It felt like an abrupt finish for one of many world’s biggest footballing skills, who shed extra tears at these championships than he did a lot else.
This time, although, the tears weren’t Ronaldo’s. As a substitute, the Portugal captain’s function was to console a weeping Pepe as one other painful quarter-final exit got here into full focus.
Portugal generated an xG of 9.41 over the 5 video games they performed, however solely scored 3 times (5 in the event you embrace personal objectives scored by Czech Republic’s Robin Hranac and Turkey’s Samet Akaydin). Ronaldo’s private tally amounted to zero.
Why, then, was the 39-year-old chosen to steer the road in opposition to France over the abundance of expertise stationed on Portugal’s exceptionally-gifted bench? Neither Diogo Jota nor Goncalo Ramos even made it onto the pitch, regardless of the sport going the total distance – Martinez endured together with his labouring frontman for your complete 120 minutes. Bruno Fernandes was changed with quarter-hour to go, however not Ronaldo.
Extra alarming nonetheless, is that Portugal didn’t rating a single objective throughout any of their remaining three fixtures. A 2-0 defeat to Georgia (with a severely-weakened facet, that also included Ronaldo), was adopted up by goalless stalemates in opposition to Slovenia after which fatefully France. Absolutely Martinez was feeling the stress? Or maybe the Portuguese following, and press, are additionally afraid of what a Ronaldo backlash would do to the perceived stability of a facet so typically saved by their famed No 7.
As a result of, let’s face it, Ronaldo’s choice was not made on advantage, it was dictated by the rigours of fame. Martinez was scared to depart him out. Ronaldo’s unwavering self-belief within the face of mounting proof on the contrary permeated all inside the Portugal camp – there was little argument to be made. Actually not one deemed legitimate sufficient to face the nice man down.
And so Jota, Ramos and co watched on as Ronaldo loved six fewer touches of the ball than goalkeeper Costa – and fewer than some other Portuguese participant. They agonised as Portugal created, backed up by superior xG knowledge (1.84 to France’s 1.14), the extra presentable possibilities of the 2 sides with out discovering the online. And eventually, they despaired as France’s Theo Hernandez struck the decisive penalty.
Neither Jota, Ramos or certainly some other forward-minded substitute – reserve some sympathy for Pedro Neto too – was afforded the possibility to influence the sport. Thus the fascination, or slightly frustration, with Ronaldo’s ever-presence – he did convert his spot-kick through the shoot-out – solely grows. Of the 2 photographs he tried in open play, just one hit the goal, albeit, within the spirit of steadiness, he was charitable sufficient to permit Fernandes the possibility to strike one among his prized free kicks.
Nonetheless, it stays a symptom of a wider stubbornness on each his and Portugal’s behalf that neither he nor his nation can transfer on from his glory days.
Ronaldo has represented Portugal at six European Championships and 4 World Cups. He holds the all-time document for many worldwide objectives with 130, and is his nation’s most-capped participant (212). His general complete of 14 objectives is probably the most ever at Euros finals – for context, France nice Michel Platini is second with 9.
And perhaps these details present as compelling a rationale as any as to why the Portugal supervisor stood by his talisman till the final. However this, Ronaldo’s remaining Euros hurrah, has ended with out an in-game objective, and certainly, an unavoidable realisation that it’s time to transfer on to the following technology.
As positive because the solar rising within the east and setting within the west, Cristiano Ronaldo’s title appeared on Portugal’s team-sheet on Friday night time. Maybe for the final time. However there was no romanticism about his choice, Roberto Martinez wished him there.
Solely goalkeeper Diogo Costa performed extra minutes for Portugal this summer time, as their match ceased with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to France. It felt like an abrupt finish for one of many world’s biggest footballing skills, who shed extra tears at these championships than he did a lot else.
This time, although, the tears weren’t Ronaldo’s. As a substitute, the Portugal captain’s function was to console a weeping Pepe as one other painful quarter-final exit got here into full focus.
Portugal generated an xG of 9.41 over the 5 video games they performed, however solely scored 3 times (5 in the event you embrace personal objectives scored by Czech Republic’s Robin Hranac and Turkey’s Samet Akaydin). Ronaldo’s private tally amounted to zero.
Why, then, was the 39-year-old chosen to steer the road in opposition to France over the abundance of expertise stationed on Portugal’s exceptionally-gifted bench? Neither Diogo Jota nor Goncalo Ramos even made it onto the pitch, regardless of the sport going the total distance – Martinez endured together with his labouring frontman for your complete 120 minutes. Bruno Fernandes was changed with quarter-hour to go, however not Ronaldo.
Extra alarming nonetheless, is that Portugal didn’t rating a single objective throughout any of their remaining three fixtures. A 2-0 defeat to Georgia (with a severely-weakened facet, that also included Ronaldo), was adopted up by goalless stalemates in opposition to Slovenia after which fatefully France. Absolutely Martinez was feeling the stress? Or maybe the Portuguese following, and press, are additionally afraid of what a Ronaldo backlash would do to the perceived stability of a facet so typically saved by their famed No 7.
As a result of, let’s face it, Ronaldo’s choice was not made on advantage, it was dictated by the rigours of fame. Martinez was scared to depart him out. Ronaldo’s unwavering self-belief within the face of mounting proof on the contrary permeated all inside the Portugal camp – there was little argument to be made. Actually not one deemed legitimate sufficient to face the nice man down.
And so Jota, Ramos and co watched on as Ronaldo loved six fewer touches of the ball than goalkeeper Costa – and fewer than some other Portuguese participant. They agonised as Portugal created, backed up by superior xG knowledge (1.84 to France’s 1.14), the extra presentable possibilities of the 2 sides with out discovering the online. And eventually, they despaired as France’s Theo Hernandez struck the decisive penalty.
Neither Jota, Ramos or certainly some other forward-minded substitute – reserve some sympathy for Pedro Neto too – was afforded the possibility to influence the sport. Thus the fascination, or slightly frustration, with Ronaldo’s ever-presence – he did convert his spot-kick through the shoot-out – solely grows. Of the 2 photographs he tried in open play, just one hit the goal, albeit, within the spirit of steadiness, he was charitable sufficient to permit Fernandes the possibility to strike one among his prized free kicks.
Nonetheless, it stays a symptom of a wider stubbornness on each his and Portugal’s behalf that neither he nor his nation can transfer on from his glory days.
Ronaldo has represented Portugal at six European Championships and 4 World Cups. He holds the all-time document for many worldwide objectives with 130, and is his nation’s most-capped participant (212). His general complete of 14 objectives is probably the most ever at Euros finals – for context, France nice Michel Platini is second with 9.
And perhaps these details present as compelling a rationale as any as to why the Portugal supervisor stood by his talisman till the final. However this, Ronaldo’s remaining Euros hurrah, has ended with out an in-game objective, and certainly, an unavoidable realisation that it’s time to transfer on to the following technology.
As positive because the solar rising within the east and setting within the west, Cristiano Ronaldo’s title appeared on Portugal’s team-sheet on Friday night time. Maybe for the final time. However there was no romanticism about his choice, Roberto Martinez wished him there.
Solely goalkeeper Diogo Costa performed extra minutes for Portugal this summer time, as their match ceased with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to France. It felt like an abrupt finish for one of many world’s biggest footballing skills, who shed extra tears at these championships than he did a lot else.
This time, although, the tears weren’t Ronaldo’s. As a substitute, the Portugal captain’s function was to console a weeping Pepe as one other painful quarter-final exit got here into full focus.
Portugal generated an xG of 9.41 over the 5 video games they performed, however solely scored 3 times (5 in the event you embrace personal objectives scored by Czech Republic’s Robin Hranac and Turkey’s Samet Akaydin). Ronaldo’s private tally amounted to zero.
Why, then, was the 39-year-old chosen to steer the road in opposition to France over the abundance of expertise stationed on Portugal’s exceptionally-gifted bench? Neither Diogo Jota nor Goncalo Ramos even made it onto the pitch, regardless of the sport going the total distance – Martinez endured together with his labouring frontman for your complete 120 minutes. Bruno Fernandes was changed with quarter-hour to go, however not Ronaldo.
Extra alarming nonetheless, is that Portugal didn’t rating a single objective throughout any of their remaining three fixtures. A 2-0 defeat to Georgia (with a severely-weakened facet, that also included Ronaldo), was adopted up by goalless stalemates in opposition to Slovenia after which fatefully France. Absolutely Martinez was feeling the stress? Or maybe the Portuguese following, and press, are additionally afraid of what a Ronaldo backlash would do to the perceived stability of a facet so typically saved by their famed No 7.
As a result of, let’s face it, Ronaldo’s choice was not made on advantage, it was dictated by the rigours of fame. Martinez was scared to depart him out. Ronaldo’s unwavering self-belief within the face of mounting proof on the contrary permeated all inside the Portugal camp – there was little argument to be made. Actually not one deemed legitimate sufficient to face the nice man down.
And so Jota, Ramos and co watched on as Ronaldo loved six fewer touches of the ball than goalkeeper Costa – and fewer than some other Portuguese participant. They agonised as Portugal created, backed up by superior xG knowledge (1.84 to France’s 1.14), the extra presentable possibilities of the 2 sides with out discovering the online. And eventually, they despaired as France’s Theo Hernandez struck the decisive penalty.
Neither Jota, Ramos or certainly some other forward-minded substitute – reserve some sympathy for Pedro Neto too – was afforded the possibility to influence the sport. Thus the fascination, or slightly frustration, with Ronaldo’s ever-presence – he did convert his spot-kick through the shoot-out – solely grows. Of the 2 photographs he tried in open play, just one hit the goal, albeit, within the spirit of steadiness, he was charitable sufficient to permit Fernandes the possibility to strike one among his prized free kicks.
Nonetheless, it stays a symptom of a wider stubbornness on each his and Portugal’s behalf that neither he nor his nation can transfer on from his glory days.
Ronaldo has represented Portugal at six European Championships and 4 World Cups. He holds the all-time document for many worldwide objectives with 130, and is his nation’s most-capped participant (212). His general complete of 14 objectives is probably the most ever at Euros finals – for context, France nice Michel Platini is second with 9.
And perhaps these details present as compelling a rationale as any as to why the Portugal supervisor stood by his talisman till the final. However this, Ronaldo’s remaining Euros hurrah, has ended with out an in-game objective, and certainly, an unavoidable realisation that it’s time to transfer on to the following technology.
As positive because the solar rising within the east and setting within the west, Cristiano Ronaldo’s title appeared on Portugal’s team-sheet on Friday night time. Maybe for the final time. However there was no romanticism about his choice, Roberto Martinez wished him there.
Solely goalkeeper Diogo Costa performed extra minutes for Portugal this summer time, as their match ceased with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to France. It felt like an abrupt finish for one of many world’s biggest footballing skills, who shed extra tears at these championships than he did a lot else.
This time, although, the tears weren’t Ronaldo’s. As a substitute, the Portugal captain’s function was to console a weeping Pepe as one other painful quarter-final exit got here into full focus.
Portugal generated an xG of 9.41 over the 5 video games they performed, however solely scored 3 times (5 in the event you embrace personal objectives scored by Czech Republic’s Robin Hranac and Turkey’s Samet Akaydin). Ronaldo’s private tally amounted to zero.
Why, then, was the 39-year-old chosen to steer the road in opposition to France over the abundance of expertise stationed on Portugal’s exceptionally-gifted bench? Neither Diogo Jota nor Goncalo Ramos even made it onto the pitch, regardless of the sport going the total distance – Martinez endured together with his labouring frontman for your complete 120 minutes. Bruno Fernandes was changed with quarter-hour to go, however not Ronaldo.
Extra alarming nonetheless, is that Portugal didn’t rating a single objective throughout any of their remaining three fixtures. A 2-0 defeat to Georgia (with a severely-weakened facet, that also included Ronaldo), was adopted up by goalless stalemates in opposition to Slovenia after which fatefully France. Absolutely Martinez was feeling the stress? Or maybe the Portuguese following, and press, are additionally afraid of what a Ronaldo backlash would do to the perceived stability of a facet so typically saved by their famed No 7.
As a result of, let’s face it, Ronaldo’s choice was not made on advantage, it was dictated by the rigours of fame. Martinez was scared to depart him out. Ronaldo’s unwavering self-belief within the face of mounting proof on the contrary permeated all inside the Portugal camp – there was little argument to be made. Actually not one deemed legitimate sufficient to face the nice man down.
And so Jota, Ramos and co watched on as Ronaldo loved six fewer touches of the ball than goalkeeper Costa – and fewer than some other Portuguese participant. They agonised as Portugal created, backed up by superior xG knowledge (1.84 to France’s 1.14), the extra presentable possibilities of the 2 sides with out discovering the online. And eventually, they despaired as France’s Theo Hernandez struck the decisive penalty.
Neither Jota, Ramos or certainly some other forward-minded substitute – reserve some sympathy for Pedro Neto too – was afforded the possibility to influence the sport. Thus the fascination, or slightly frustration, with Ronaldo’s ever-presence – he did convert his spot-kick through the shoot-out – solely grows. Of the 2 photographs he tried in open play, just one hit the goal, albeit, within the spirit of steadiness, he was charitable sufficient to permit Fernandes the possibility to strike one among his prized free kicks.
Nonetheless, it stays a symptom of a wider stubbornness on each his and Portugal’s behalf that neither he nor his nation can transfer on from his glory days.
Ronaldo has represented Portugal at six European Championships and 4 World Cups. He holds the all-time document for many worldwide objectives with 130, and is his nation’s most-capped participant (212). His general complete of 14 objectives is probably the most ever at Euros finals – for context, France nice Michel Platini is second with 9.
And perhaps these details present as compelling a rationale as any as to why the Portugal supervisor stood by his talisman till the final. However this, Ronaldo’s remaining Euros hurrah, has ended with out an in-game objective, and certainly, an unavoidable realisation that it’s time to transfer on to the following technology.
As positive because the solar rising within the east and setting within the west, Cristiano Ronaldo’s title appeared on Portugal’s team-sheet on Friday night time. Maybe for the final time. However there was no romanticism about his choice, Roberto Martinez wished him there.
Solely goalkeeper Diogo Costa performed extra minutes for Portugal this summer time, as their match ceased with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to France. It felt like an abrupt finish for one of many world’s biggest footballing skills, who shed extra tears at these championships than he did a lot else.
This time, although, the tears weren’t Ronaldo’s. As a substitute, the Portugal captain’s function was to console a weeping Pepe as one other painful quarter-final exit got here into full focus.
Portugal generated an xG of 9.41 over the 5 video games they performed, however solely scored 3 times (5 in the event you embrace personal objectives scored by Czech Republic’s Robin Hranac and Turkey’s Samet Akaydin). Ronaldo’s private tally amounted to zero.
Why, then, was the 39-year-old chosen to steer the road in opposition to France over the abundance of expertise stationed on Portugal’s exceptionally-gifted bench? Neither Diogo Jota nor Goncalo Ramos even made it onto the pitch, regardless of the sport going the total distance – Martinez endured together with his labouring frontman for your complete 120 minutes. Bruno Fernandes was changed with quarter-hour to go, however not Ronaldo.
Extra alarming nonetheless, is that Portugal didn’t rating a single objective throughout any of their remaining three fixtures. A 2-0 defeat to Georgia (with a severely-weakened facet, that also included Ronaldo), was adopted up by goalless stalemates in opposition to Slovenia after which fatefully France. Absolutely Martinez was feeling the stress? Or maybe the Portuguese following, and press, are additionally afraid of what a Ronaldo backlash would do to the perceived stability of a facet so typically saved by their famed No 7.
As a result of, let’s face it, Ronaldo’s choice was not made on advantage, it was dictated by the rigours of fame. Martinez was scared to depart him out. Ronaldo’s unwavering self-belief within the face of mounting proof on the contrary permeated all inside the Portugal camp – there was little argument to be made. Actually not one deemed legitimate sufficient to face the nice man down.
And so Jota, Ramos and co watched on as Ronaldo loved six fewer touches of the ball than goalkeeper Costa – and fewer than some other Portuguese participant. They agonised as Portugal created, backed up by superior xG knowledge (1.84 to France’s 1.14), the extra presentable possibilities of the 2 sides with out discovering the online. And eventually, they despaired as France’s Theo Hernandez struck the decisive penalty.
Neither Jota, Ramos or certainly some other forward-minded substitute – reserve some sympathy for Pedro Neto too – was afforded the possibility to influence the sport. Thus the fascination, or slightly frustration, with Ronaldo’s ever-presence – he did convert his spot-kick through the shoot-out – solely grows. Of the 2 photographs he tried in open play, just one hit the goal, albeit, within the spirit of steadiness, he was charitable sufficient to permit Fernandes the possibility to strike one among his prized free kicks.
Nonetheless, it stays a symptom of a wider stubbornness on each his and Portugal’s behalf that neither he nor his nation can transfer on from his glory days.
Ronaldo has represented Portugal at six European Championships and 4 World Cups. He holds the all-time document for many worldwide objectives with 130, and is his nation’s most-capped participant (212). His general complete of 14 objectives is probably the most ever at Euros finals – for context, France nice Michel Platini is second with 9.
And perhaps these details present as compelling a rationale as any as to why the Portugal supervisor stood by his talisman till the final. However this, Ronaldo’s remaining Euros hurrah, has ended with out an in-game objective, and certainly, an unavoidable realisation that it’s time to transfer on to the following technology.
As positive because the solar rising within the east and setting within the west, Cristiano Ronaldo’s title appeared on Portugal’s team-sheet on Friday night time. Maybe for the final time. However there was no romanticism about his choice, Roberto Martinez wished him there.
Solely goalkeeper Diogo Costa performed extra minutes for Portugal this summer time, as their match ceased with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to France. It felt like an abrupt finish for one of many world’s biggest footballing skills, who shed extra tears at these championships than he did a lot else.
This time, although, the tears weren’t Ronaldo’s. As a substitute, the Portugal captain’s function was to console a weeping Pepe as one other painful quarter-final exit got here into full focus.
Portugal generated an xG of 9.41 over the 5 video games they performed, however solely scored 3 times (5 in the event you embrace personal objectives scored by Czech Republic’s Robin Hranac and Turkey’s Samet Akaydin). Ronaldo’s private tally amounted to zero.
Why, then, was the 39-year-old chosen to steer the road in opposition to France over the abundance of expertise stationed on Portugal’s exceptionally-gifted bench? Neither Diogo Jota nor Goncalo Ramos even made it onto the pitch, regardless of the sport going the total distance – Martinez endured together with his labouring frontman for your complete 120 minutes. Bruno Fernandes was changed with quarter-hour to go, however not Ronaldo.
Extra alarming nonetheless, is that Portugal didn’t rating a single objective throughout any of their remaining three fixtures. A 2-0 defeat to Georgia (with a severely-weakened facet, that also included Ronaldo), was adopted up by goalless stalemates in opposition to Slovenia after which fatefully France. Absolutely Martinez was feeling the stress? Or maybe the Portuguese following, and press, are additionally afraid of what a Ronaldo backlash would do to the perceived stability of a facet so typically saved by their famed No 7.
As a result of, let’s face it, Ronaldo’s choice was not made on advantage, it was dictated by the rigours of fame. Martinez was scared to depart him out. Ronaldo’s unwavering self-belief within the face of mounting proof on the contrary permeated all inside the Portugal camp – there was little argument to be made. Actually not one deemed legitimate sufficient to face the nice man down.
And so Jota, Ramos and co watched on as Ronaldo loved six fewer touches of the ball than goalkeeper Costa – and fewer than some other Portuguese participant. They agonised as Portugal created, backed up by superior xG knowledge (1.84 to France’s 1.14), the extra presentable possibilities of the 2 sides with out discovering the online. And eventually, they despaired as France’s Theo Hernandez struck the decisive penalty.
Neither Jota, Ramos or certainly some other forward-minded substitute – reserve some sympathy for Pedro Neto too – was afforded the possibility to influence the sport. Thus the fascination, or slightly frustration, with Ronaldo’s ever-presence – he did convert his spot-kick through the shoot-out – solely grows. Of the 2 photographs he tried in open play, just one hit the goal, albeit, within the spirit of steadiness, he was charitable sufficient to permit Fernandes the possibility to strike one among his prized free kicks.
Nonetheless, it stays a symptom of a wider stubbornness on each his and Portugal’s behalf that neither he nor his nation can transfer on from his glory days.
Ronaldo has represented Portugal at six European Championships and 4 World Cups. He holds the all-time document for many worldwide objectives with 130, and is his nation’s most-capped participant (212). His general complete of 14 objectives is probably the most ever at Euros finals – for context, France nice Michel Platini is second with 9.
And perhaps these details present as compelling a rationale as any as to why the Portugal supervisor stood by his talisman till the final. However this, Ronaldo’s remaining Euros hurrah, has ended with out an in-game objective, and certainly, an unavoidable realisation that it’s time to transfer on to the following technology.