Cristiano Ronaldo’s self-infatuation remains in a class of its own. Ronaldo claimed the opener in Portugal’s 2-0 win against Uruguay on Monday despite failing to touch Bruno Fernandes’ cross with the tips of his hair. According to the TV pictures, the world association Fifa attributed it to Bruno Fernandes, who also scored the 2-0 – with a hand penalty (90 + 3). The essence of the evening for Portugal: The 2016 European champions qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup before the final group game against South Korea. The off-sports news that broke Monday night at Lusail Stadium was different. Because at the beginning of the second half, the stadium became the stage for the first visible protest in Qatar.
A few minutes after the start of the second half, a “streaker” jumped onto the grass and ran halfway across the field with a rainbow flag of the peace movement, the “Pace” flag in hand. The “racer” also wore a T-shirt that read “Save Ukraine” and the “Superman” logo on the front and “Respect for the women of Iran” on the back. The action lasted seconds at best – and was not shown to TV viewers around the world, as is also the case with European cup games. The protester was gently led away. The security personnel disappeared with him into the stadium’s catacombs. Information on the identity of the viewer was initially not available.
Uruguay coach Diego Alonso initially left the famous Luis Suárez on the bench; the striker, who was last employed by Nacional Montevideo, made his mark in World Cup history in 2014 when he bit his Italian guard Giorgio Chiellini in the shoulder. Portugal national coach Fernando Santos called on defender Pepe for this.
In civilian clothes, Pepe is said to be pious, friendly and approachable. But when he wears a soccer team’s uniform and steps onto the field, which is bounded by four chalk lines, he undergoes a mysterious transformation. A few years ago, he gained worldwide fame for massaging the back of a downed Getafe player with the cleated soles of his boots while at Real Madrid. But: The game basically never left the limits of legitimate hardness. This was also due to the fact that the Iranian referee Alkireza Faghani sent a yellow card for the Uruguayan Rodrigo Betancur early on, which could only be interpreted as an uncompromising approach to enforcing the rules (6′). The warning meant that Lusail Stadium was basically quiet.
Ronaldo mistakenly believes he has a World Cup goal record
This also applied to the game itself. At least if you consider clear chances to score the only legitimate parameter when evaluating a football game. That didn’t stop the audience from showing enthusiasm. It hadn’t come for a football game. But to cheer for a currently unemployed hero that you otherwise only see on TV: Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Portugal. There were a lot of spectators in the stands with the red jerseys of the Portuguese national team – because of Ronaldo. Every shot that landed in goal during warm-up was cheered by the local supporters. But Ronaldo also owned the first scene of the game. He shouldered a ball in the penalty area at William; but his shot landed over the goal (3rd). That was one of the few goals scored in the first half. At the other end, Betancur galloped halfway and landed in front of Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa after also breaking through the defensive line. But Costa held up brilliantly.
One of the main actors this evening: a speedster with a rainbow flag.
(Photo: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP)
The game was tough – and changed her face after the protester had carried his rainbow onto the field. Fernandes smacked a ball into the penalty area and it landed in the net without Ronaldo touching it. Ronaldo was celebrated as a goalscorer – and thought he was in possession of Eusébio’s World Cup goal record (9 goals). But while he was still on the pitch, Fifa attributed the goal to his comrade Fernandes.
Then came the Uruguayans’ strongest phase: Maxi Gómez hit the post (72′), Luis Suárez hit the side netting (78′), then Giorgian De Arrascaceta missed (79′). Portugal coach Santos responded, taking Ronaldo off the field to play on the counterattack with fresh energy. The plan worked: Fernandes scored from the point to make it 2-0. The win could have been even bigger. But while the Uruguayans have to tremble, for Portugal on Friday it’s all about whether they finish first or second in their group.
And the runabout? “I hope nothing happens to the boy,” said Portugal international Ruben Neves. “We all got his message, the whole world got it.”
