Cristiano Ronaldo Struggles in Portugal’s World Cup Match Against South Korea

Portugal’s star forward Cristiano Ronaldo failed to make an impact in the team’s 2022 FIFA World Cup Group H match against South Korea, as the European champions secured a 2-1 victory in Doha on December 2. The result left Ronaldo with just one goal in three group-stage appearances, raising questions about his form during the tournament.

According to FIFA’s official match report, Ronaldo registered one shot on target and completed 52% of his passes in the 90-minute contest. The 37-year-old forward, who had scored in Portugal’s 3-2 opening win over Ghana, was substituted in the 68th minute by manager Fernando Santos. “We had to make changes to maintain our intensity,” Santos said after the game, per FIFA.com.

The match, played at Al Thumama Stadium, saw Portugal struggle against South Korea’s physical defense. The Koreans took the lead in the 32nd minute through a 25-yard free-kick by Son Heung-Min, who later scored a second goal in the 73rd minute. Portugal equalized in the 58th minute when Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty after a handball by South Korea’s Lee Kang-in.

Ronaldo’s most notable moment came in the 18th minute when he forced a save from South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu with a 20-yard strike. However, the forward was largely subdued throughout the game, with Squawka noting he had just 28 touches in the final third compared to 12 for Portugal’s other attacking options.

The result meant Portugal advanced to the Round of 16 as group winners, but Ronaldo’s performance sparked debate among fans and analysts. “Cristiano is still a world-class player, but his movement and timing need to be sharper,” said former Portugal midfielder Maniche on RadioSport. “He needs to adapt to the pace of the game and create more chances for himself.”

Why This Match Matters for Portugal’s World Cup Campaign

Portugal’s victory over South Korea ensured the team would face either Uruguay or Ghana in the Round of 16. However, Ronaldo’s subdued performance raised concerns about his ability to carry the team in deeper stages of the tournament. The 2016 European champion had scored 11 goals in 15 World Cup appearances prior to 2022, but his 2022 campaign had been marked by inconsistency.

According to ESPN, Ronaldo’s average distance covered in the 2022 World Cup was 9.8 kilometers per game, slightly below his career average of 10.2 kilometers. Analysts attributed this to a more