Cristiano Ronaldo was reduced to the role of superstar nobody wanted as Portugal decided they could do better without him after Manchester United’s lead.
And they were certainly better without him as Portugal rewarded coach Fernando Santos’ courage in leaving out an icon of his country’s game with a full-attacking performance and a 6-1 win over Switzerland that sealed Morocco’s World Cup quarter-finals set up.
Not only was Santos not vindicated in his decision to sack Ronaldo after he was criticized for his gestures as a substitute in the final group game against South Korea, but he hit the jackpot as his young Substitute Goncalo Ramos looked the real deal in scoring a stunning hat-trick. .
It has been a tough time for 37-year-old Ronaldo’s considerable pride and ego as first his Manchester United career ended acrimoniously after public criticism of the club and now Portugal has done the unthinkable. And before Euro 2008 – and left him out of their starting line-up at a major tournament.
It was certainly the bravest selection call of this World Cup and one of the biggest by Santos, eight years in charge of Portugal.
Santos, despite winning Euro 2016 on his CV, will know what is at stake by turning this earthquake around. If Portugal had lost, they would have known who would take the can to get out of the World Cup and it wouldn’t have been Cristiano Ronaldo.
Instead, Santos watched with his usual stoic expression as Portugal looked a more dynamic, fluid and threatening side without all of his attention focused on Ronaldo’s dominant presence.
Portugal eased forward with Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes at the controls in midfield, and Benfica’s 21-year-old striker Ramos, previously unknown at such a goal-scoring stage, carried some of the burden as Ronaldo’s replacement. were feeling .
Initially overwhelmed but the talented Joao Felix looked as free as the rest of the Portugal team.
Ramos’ hat-trick came in a variety of well-taken forms, with a close-range finish beating Switzerland keeper John Sommer, then a cross and a near-post strike before a clever dunk by a poacher for his hat-trick. of Some first complete Portugal start.
Ronaldo had previously gone 514 minutes of World Cup knockout football without scoring a goal. Ramos three in 67 minutes.
Pepe, a 39-year-old defensive stalwart, showed age played no part in Santos’ ideas as he finished second while Ramos showed he can create them as well as score goals when he set up Rafael Guerrero. made it 4-0.
And through it sat Ronaldo, cameras trained on every facial expression as the Portuguese national hero showed the first signs of his international career following his Manchester United career in the past.
He was surrounded by hundreds of cameramen after the national anthem and there was an almost appreciative feeling about what had happened once Portugal proved they could make up for his absence by rooting for a bitterly disappointed Switzerland. are superior.
Ramos had made it 5-1, Portugal cruising, when a huge roar of “Ronaldo” began to sweep around the vast Lucille Stadium, followed by his celebratory trademark “Siu”. There were slogans.
It was a large number of locals who paid their money to see Ronaldo in the flesh who were leading the demands. Even Switzerland fans were hoping that Santos would remove his tormentor Ramos.
Santos scored with 16 minutes remaining, sending Ronaldo on for a pop star reception for Joao Felix.
It was all vaguely awkward – even a touch embarrassing – as the fading talisman proceeded to feel like a personal appearance rather than a meaningful contribution to the World Cup’s knockout game.
There was an air of anticipation every time Ronaldo received the ball, with those inside the arena eager to witness the old magic. They almost saw him as he hit the shot but boos erupted after the offside flag went up.
Even Ronaldo’s brief spell was taken away when another of Portugal’s bright young strikers, Rafael Luo, came on and slotted into the top corner, completing the stunning win in style, already 23 years old. is of Old has been earmarked as a star of the future at AC Milan.
