PORTUGAL LEANS ON RONALDO TO REIGN OVER FAVOURED SPAIN
World Cup kicks into gear Friday when powerhouses meet, writes Bob Lenarduzzi.
Friday will feature the first full day of action at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with three games in Russia.
The biggest match has European champions Portugal taking on neighbours Spain in Group B. Spain is one of the favourites, so this will be a tough contest for Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese have a habit of starting competitions slowly, but under coach Fernando Santos they have cultivated a talent for grinding out results when needed most. Portugal surprised a lot of people at Euro 2016, but now the element of surprise is gone and we’ll see how they perform under the weight of raised expectations.
Performing in big games under high expectations is something Ronaldo knows all too well, and Portugal will need its superstar to come through. But he can’t do it alone. The consensus is that this Portugal team, aside from Ronaldo, is not as good as it was two years ago.
In goal, veteran Rui Patricio is in the middle of an ugly dispute with management at his longtime club Sporting. That’s an unwelcome distraction. Patricio is looking to have his contract nullified, and his Portugal and Sporting teammate William Carvalho may go the same route.
Portugal’s key central defenders are all in their mid-30s, and have perhaps lost a step. Vicecaptain Pepe remains the team’s best defender at age 35, and will look to lead by example.
In midfield, Joao Moutinho and Joao Mario, who were so influential in the Euros, don’t seem to be at the same level of form.
Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva will need to step up. Portugal also has orthodox wingers in Gelson Martins and Ricardo Quaresma, but against Spain, coach Santos may opt for a more compact midfield.
Up front it will be Ronaldo leading the way, looking to get goals any way he can. He’ll be facing a Spanish side loaded with Real Madrid teammates who know all his tricks. That includes Spain captain Sergio Ramos, who I’m sure will make his presence felt.
Ronaldo is normally partnered up front by young AC Milan striker Andre Silva, but watch out for the even younger Goncalo Guedes.
He’s an exciting player who may have done enough in the buildup to earn a start.
The other two teams in Group B are Morocco and Iran. They both had superb defensive records in qualifying, and could be tough nuts to crack. But there’s a big difference between qualifying matches and going up against two of Europe’s best sides.
Morocco suffered a blow to morale before the tournament even began, as that country’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup was rejected Wednesday, in favour of the United Bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico. That’s exciting news for fans across North America.