BULLISH DIEGO SURVIVES HIS VIDEO NASTY
One strong forearm across the throat left Pepe in a heap before Jose Fonte was spun into a dizzying blur and a shot whistled across the turf into the bottom corner of Spain’s net.
So went his first World Cup goal with his first World Cup shot according to the statistical wizards. One flash of the purest Diego Costa neatly wrapped and tied with a bow to have them pining and reaching for the handkerchiefs in the Matthew Harding Stand at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.
His muscle had hauled Spain level in an action-packed first half but who would have thought the video assistant referees, sitting in front of their screens in pristine yellow kit would have eyes for him.
The whole system seemed to be designed to curtail the exploits of the Brazil-born battering ram.
Imagine if it was in play when he tormented Gabriel Paulista to an early shower against Arsenal. Or when he trampled on emre Can, Martin Skrtel and others in Liverpool red.
Perhaps the square-eyed officials were too busy chortling along with everyone else at the sight of Pepe swallowing some of his own medicine. Most onlookers seemed to agree this was a pair who deserved each other.
As the replays rolled over and over, however, it did seem to be excessive force from the Spain striker. even as the celebrations unfolded, all eyes turned to Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi. Would the referee push a finger into his ear and award a freekick to Portugal in the vicinity of the stricken Pepe, flat on his back for maximum effect as if shot in a duel? A genuine Western would have seen the undertaker scurry out from the touchline with a tape measure.
As it turned out, Rocchi did nothing and Costa’s goal quickened the tempo, with Andres Iniesta and Isco increasingly influential and able to expose a weakness in the centre of Portugal’s defence. Cristiano Ronaldo may not have lost his youthful spring. Less than four minutes had passed when he opened the scoring and sprinted off towards the corner flag where he leaped into the air and pinned his landing like a ski jumper.
It was an appropriate tribute for the fabulous Fisht Stadium built to host the Winter Olympics. There were moments, however, when Portuguese veterans in the back four creaked. This will be the problem for Fernando Santos. Fonte, 34, and Pepe, 35, were selected ahead of Bruno Alves, who is 36.
Two years ago in the european Championship triumph in France, Santos was able to rely on experience and solidity at the back. They sat deep and hoped Ronaldo might be able to conjure something at the other end. How it worked.
It will be a tall order for Ronaldo to carry on mesmerising opponents at the other end of the pitch.