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Doha: Manchester United can no longer count on Cristiano Ronaldo, after they parted ways this week by mutual consent, but the veteran striker has shown that Portugal is still capable.
The 37-year-old striker converted a penalty to break the deadlock in what was ultimately a thrilling 3-2 win over Ghana on Thursday, becoming the first player to score in five World Cups.
As Ronaldo leapt into the air and fell to the ground, tens of thousands of fans in Stadium 974 imitated his signature festive roar, his explosive salvo far from their thoughts.
Ronaldo’s teammates heaped praise on him after the match, with Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva expressing his delight at being able to count on the forward’s contributions.
“He’s special because he’s one of the best players ever, he’s played in his fifth World Cup, and he’s still able to help us a lot,” said Silva.
“He proved it again today and we are very happy because we can still count on him. Not only the goal but he has done a lot for the team.”
Ronaldo, who scored his first goal in the 2006 World Cup against Iran, has scored in every edition since then and now again in Qatar after stumbling into the penalty area under pressure from Mohamed Salisu.
It was a cheap penalty – some would say a dive – but Ronaldo was severely denied a goal in the first half when they were penalized for a suspicious foul.
Ronaldo’s big moment came after a week of turmoil caused by his explosive interview in which he criticized his club, Manchester United, and coach Erik ten Hag.
Selecao Talisman’s 192nd international appearance was the most eagerly awaited.
Now unattached, this was his first chance to put himself in the proverbial shop window, though his glittering resume speaks for itself.
It was Ronaldo’s 118th goal for Portugal, extending his own men’s international goalscoring record.
“I think ‘Chris’ likes to work under that criticism from everyone, so I pray you all keep doing it because he benefits from it, when (the media) does,” said former club teammate Bruno Fernandes. and a Portuguese citizen.
Before the warm-up, Ronaldo gritted his teeth in the tunnel and braced himself, in what could be a special moment to regain his focus – but the cameras are always catching up to him, alerting the crowd to his imminent arrival.
Brimming under the spotlight, Ronaldo received an enthusiastic reception from the Portugal fans, who once again paid tribute to him. Sideshow pending, it’s time to get down to business.
He was excited and looked emotional during Portugal’s national anthem, but he and his country started slowly.
Ronaldo had the first big chance of the match when Ottavio slipped him off, but his control was too heavy and Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Ziggy quickly came out to deny him.
Two minutes later he had another chance, beating Salisu in the air but nodding his head from close range.
The striker thought for a split second that he had made history after half an hour, deftly slamming home, but the goal was disallowed and he had to wait.
Ronaldo tangled with Alexandre Dzeko to illegally gain space in the penalty area in view of referee Ismail El Fath. The veteran raised his arm in frustration.
But the next time he threw his arms in the air, it was to celebrate, after he had slotted his penalty into the top corner.
Portugal’s greatest ever player seeks this trophy while on the field, after suffering injury and trying to steer things from the sidelines in the finale of their Euro 2016 triumph.
Some wonder if he should still start, given the depth of his country’s young attacking talent, but unlike Ten Hag, coach Fernando Santos can’t ignore a still-hungry Ronaldo, nor the fans, nor his teammates.
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