Ronaldo rises to occasion
CRISTIANO Ronaldo brushed aside his off-field problems by scoring the winner as Portugal edged out hosts Russia 1-0 at the Confederations Cup, before Oribe Peralta gave Mexico a comefrom-behind 2-1 win over New Zealand.
Ronaldo’s eighth-minute header in Moscow gave Portugal their first win in the tournament and victory over New Zealand would secure a semifinal spot.
Goals from Peralta and Raul Jimenez saw Mexico move top of Group A later in the day, above Portugal on goals scored, and knock the Kiwis out of the competition.
Ronaldo let his football do the talking after the recent taxevasion accusations that have left his Real Madrid future uncertain, with his second manof-the-match performance following Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Mexico.
The forward said Portugal were worthy winners after surviving a second-half Russian fight-back.
“We’re very happy, it’s the first time Portugal have won in Russia. The team played very well against a side playing at home with the support of their fans. But we were better, we had more chances,” he said.
Ronaldo is accused by Spanish authorities of having evaded paying ¤14.7 million ($16.5m) in tax and has been summoned to appear in court next month in Madrid.
But he was all smiles, escorting a young mascot in a wheelchair out onto the Moscow pitch before netting his first Confederations Cup goal.
Portugal’s win came at a cost though, as Borussia Dortmund defender Raphael Guerreiro had to be helped off on 65 minutes with a suspected broken leg.
“He was hospitalised and we think he broke his leg,” said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.
Guerreiro’s towering cross from the left flank hung in the air and found Ronaldo, who rose at the far post to head back across Igor Akinfeev.
Only a superb one-handed reflex save from Akinfeev, who made his 100th international appearance, stopped Andre Silva’s bullet header just after the break.