RONALDO GOES IN HEAD FIRST
But how far can he carry Portugal?
HOW many World Cup points would Portugal have without Cristiano Ronaldo in their team? One? Maybe two if we are being generous?
As it is, Portugal have four and appear to be on their way to the knockout stages.
Ronaldo’s early goal was his fourth in Russia, following his hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Spain. From that point on, however, Portugal were given the runaround by Morocco and that they won is one of the more remarkable stories of this World Cup so far.
The Africans, who lost their opener to Iran courtesy of a late own goal, missed a good chance in the second minute here and spent most of the afternoon missing more. Twice in injury time they looked set to equalise but didn’t. It was that kind of day.
So they will go home after the group stage while Portugal should move forwards. But nobody should really fear Ronaldo and Co. The 33- year- old is having the tournament of his life but surely cannot carry such a modest team on his own. Can he? Portugal failed to dictate the game just as they failed to against Spain. On both occasions, an early Ronaldo goal gave them the lead but did not give them dominance.
This game was run by Morocco midfielder Hakim Ziyech. While Morocco passed the ball well and used the width of the pitch, Portugal hung on and hoped that Ronaldo would do what Ronaldo does.
The goal is certainly worth replaying and also retelling. It was another trademark, a header, and it was a classic Ronaldo moment. It was decisive and predictable.
As soon as the ball arrived from out on the right, only Ronaldo was going to get to it. There he was, bullying his marker and then putting his head where Morocco’s Karim El Ahmadi preferred to put his foot and despatching the ball high into the goal.
Awarded the official man of the match award — isn’t he always? — Ronaldo said afterwards: ‘I am happy that I scored but the important thing is we won. We have to think match by match in order to progress.’
Ronaldo spoke only briefly in the post-match press conference but his body language spoke for him as the game wore on. Twice he was lucky not to be booked, once for lashing the ball away after Portugal conceded a free-kick and once for what looked like a dive in the box.
All that pointed to frustration. Ronaldo knows that he is carrying this team and he also knows that it is unlikely to continue this way with any great degree of success.
Against Spain, Portugal struggled for possession. Their percentage was down in the 30s. But that was understandable, that was Spain.
This, on the other hand, was Morocco and it was startling to see Portugal so easily and convincingly dominated.
Morocco coach Herve Renard claimed Ronaldo’s goal should not have stood. He said: ‘Have a look at the replays because a foul should have been seen and there should have been a free-kick in favour of Morocco. The mistake was made, a foul was committed and then Ronaldo appears, as usual.’
The Africans seemed to have decided that quality deliveries from wide positions were their best option and the tactic would have worked had their finishing been of international standard.
Captain and central defender Mehdi Benatia spurned a hat-trick of opportunities all by himself, and No 10 Younes Belhanda was denied by a stunning save by Rui Patricio.
Ronaldo also managed to miss one big chance of his own, lashing the ball over just after half-time.
But as long as Ronaldo is in their side, followers of Portugal will always be optimistic and with good
reason. He has come to Russia seemingly determined to make some kind of point and you could argue he has done it already.
As for Morocco and their fantastic supporters, this adventure is already over. For quite some time, they will ask themselves quite how it happened.