Portugal, Ronaldo survive vs. Poland
Superstar whiffs on scoring chances before side wins on penalty kicks
In some way, Cristiano Ronaldo was rooting for himself before Rui Patricio stoned Jakub Błaszczykowski’s penalty. He was overcome with relief.
When Portugal’s Ricardo Quaresma then beat Poland’s Lukasz Fabianski with the ensuing gamewinning kick, Ronaldo knew his sins from the previous two hours in Marseille would undoubtedly be forgiven.
And now Portugal, a side whose tournament started with such disappointment and controversy, is on to the final four at Euro 2016, where they’ll meet the winner of Belgium-Wales in Lyon next week.
This was one night in which Ronaldo finally needed his teammates to help him survive at this tournament.
His whiff five minutes from the end will forever be inexplicable. He simply doesn’t miss chances like that.
When his well-timed run was rewarded with an exquisite chippedin ball late in the proceedings, the tournament’s top player looked destined to score the game-winner.
The perfectly weighted ball floated over his left shoulder before Ronaldo attempted a first-time half-volley he completely fanned on. It was an awkward moment, one in which Ronaldo had nobody to blame but himself.
He sat alone ahead of extra time, perhaps pondering his blown chance minutes earlier after firsthalf goals from Poland’s Robert Lewandowski and Portugal’s Renato Sanches saw things finish 1-1.
A moment of rest, however, didn’t correct whatever was ailing him. Ronaldo completely squandered a cross minutes into the extra half-hour, watching the ball squirt between his legs metres from goal.
Again, he looked mystified. Rarely does this happen to him — not on the big stage, when lights are brightest.
Imagine if he’d missed Portugal’s first spot kick. Remember, it was just two weeks ago that he missed here in Paris. Ronaldo scored the same way he went against Austria — to Fabianski’s right.
He stooped down behind his teammates and watched the rest of the kicks through his fingers. He undoubtedly didn’t want to be blamed for Portugal’s exit.
For Portugal, Thursday night’s win was more relief than achievement. Given the bracket, it expected to at least make a semifinals appearance, leaving Poland to ponder how it approached this tournament.
After breathing a sigh of relief, the Portuguese — Ronaldo, specifically — will like their chances of getting to a final for the first time since falling to Greece at Euro 2004.
Ronaldo’s always looking ahead to the next time he can be front and centre.
His teammates have provided him another opportunity.