Portugal vs Spain was a poignant, and for Spain, historic quarter-final performance that would send Portugal to the quarter-final of the FIFA World Cup, thanks to a 1-0 victory. In injury time it was Mikel Merino who put the game clinching goal on the board and left Cristiano Ronaldo in tears after missing the World Cup. It also ended Roberto Martinez’s reign as the Portugal manager as he followed the loss with his resignation. Spain are in the final eight, while Portugal have been left with questions as they flame out of the competition.
The first kick came and it had huge significance for both teams. Spain enjoyed some possession over extended periods and appeared more at home with the ball, while Portugal looked for goals in the Brazilian striker Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. Everything was competitive all day long with both defences organised and limiting for clear opportunities. Portugal held their own well but eventually got to attacking Spain one side and Spain the other side looked the more dangerous.
But it was Cristiano Ronaldo who, again and this time more than ever, took centre stage. Since the Belgian had started the game, he was 41 but had started nearly the whole 90 minutes and failed to make his presence felt like he did in the past. Ronaldo was able to find himself in front of the goal only a couple of times and also never within Spain’s penalty area. Leading and experienced as ever, even after emerging from the recent tie, Portugal had great difficulty getting going but Spain dominated the play the whole time. Again, doubts were raised as to whether Portugal could have found younger attacking players for such a crucial knockout game.
It was a moment at the death deep in the final injury time. Spain persevered and another Spaniard, Mikel Merino, found the breakthrough, sending the Spaniards and fans into a frenzy. However, Portugal were on a tight schedule to react and when the whistle went there went they too. While leaving the field as the winners, Ronaldo got teared up as he realized the end of his World Cup dream had come to an end.
Ronaldo’s WM career may be over but his accomplishments are unmatched in many aspects. He has scored six different World Cups, and concluded his career with 11 World Cup goals. Through his career in club and international football, Ronaldo has accumulated an astonishing 976 goals and won virtually all of the major awards on offer, going to include five UEFA Champions League titles and five Ballon d’Or awards (and the UEFA European Championship in Portugal in 2016). His incredible career hasn’t won any major trophies other than the World Cup.
Roberto Martinez confirmed after being defeated that he was to move from his job as Portugal manager. He has admitted that his intention was to get the World Cup and when he didn’t and he’s saying it’s the right time for him to retire. Martinez thanked Ronaldo for his leadership and commitment, saying that he is indeed a true football icon with a commitment to any country. He has left another chapter close in what has been a turbulent patch for Portugal as they start to sketch their future.
Some football pundits, especially, had many questions on Portugal’s tactics in the tournament. Some thought that Goncalo Ramos could have been a bigger weapon in the attack, while others thought Portugal was too Watson heavy this season. Portuguese team had talent worshippers on board like Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes but failed to go deep into the World Cup. Spain, however, remained patient, believing in their form of attack and were repaid with a late winner.
(For Spain, the win gives a lift to their World Cup ambitions ahead of a quarter-final with the hosts. They played well maintaining a discipline and keeping calm and determined to overcome one of the best team in Europe. So, it’s on to the future for Portugal, remembering the spectacle that took place thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo. He didn’t win the World Cup, but his legacy in football will be embraced by the ages.
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