Cavani brilliance boots Ronaldo out of Russia
SOCHI: Minutes after Edinson Cavani limped off, Portugal walked out of the World Cup; the genius of Cristiano Ronaldo bowing to the brilliance of the Uruguayan striker who got a brace in the 2-1 win on Saturday.
Cavani, who scored on either side of Pepe’s equalising goal from a corner-kick, left because of a calf problem. He was helped out by Ronaldo, the Portugal skipper’s gesture being applauded around the stadium. “I just felt something at one point and couldn’t recover. I hope (to be fit), I’ll do everything to make sure I can take to the field with my teammates,” said Cavani.
After having won all four games in Russia, twice champions Uruguay play France in the quarter-final in Niznhy Novgorod on Friday. The win was shaped by Cavani’s goals; the first following an exchange of amazing crossfield passes with Luis Suarez and the second a curler fired on the run.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos said Uruguay’s first goal came from an ‘incredible’ move. “There was a cross to the left, a cross to the right, and then one came in from behind. We weren’t able to control that kind of movement.”
On way to being the 2016 European champions, Portugal made the most of what they had available: a world-class striker, a strong defence, a good goalkeeper, a winning mentality and good organisation. On Saturday, they faced a team who did the same things more effectively.
With Diego Godin being the first among equals, Uruguay defended tenaciously, battled in midfield and packed a killer punch in their strike duo of Suarez and Cavani.
“The distinctive feature of the game was the dedication the players showed on the pitch, and that is the way that we see football,” said Uruguay’s coach Oscar Tabarez. “It was difficult. Portugal had more possession and were often in our half of the pitch… We committed a mistake that led to the equaliser but we have a very strong team in terms of mindset.”
Portugal had 61% possession and four times as many shots at goal as Uruguay but Tabarez said what mattered was creating and converting chances. “I think there is often a mistaken assumption that possession leads to goalscoring opportunities,” he said.
NOT THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT FUTURE: CR7
SOCHI: Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t say if he plans to continue playing for Portugal. “Now is not the time to talk about the future, either of the coach or the players,” said Ronaldo who will be nearly 38 in 2022. “I am sure that Portugal will continue to be one of the best teams in the world. We have a young and ambitious squad.”