...
By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
In Saturday's final Group K match of the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were unable to find a way to score on Colombia, settling for a 0-0 draw in a game in which Ronaldo had minimal impact.
That led to Colombia winning the group, despite Portugal being the favorite heading into this year's FIFA event. And according to one ESPN analyst, the 41-year-old Ronaldo was "invisible" and ineffective, leading to questions about why he's even in the match for this team.
"If Ronaldo had not had Ronaldo on the back of his jersey, he would have looked like an ordinary player," Steve Nicol said on ESPN. "In this World Cup, he's been offside more times than I can remember, because he knows that he tries to get a head start on the defenders because he doesn't have the pace."
Read More on Sports
"And so he ends up in a wide area, and why's he in a wide area? Because he's not beating anybody, he can't go past anybody, so the only place he has to be is in the penalty box, but even then, he's pretty much invisible," Nicol added.
More news: USMNT Could Face Brutal World Cup Final Path After Round of 32
...
The ESPN FC analyst said that Ronaldo is supposed to be a difference-maker after scoring over 900 goals in international football, but he hasn't been, raising the question of "why is he on the field?"
In Saturday night's highly anticipated clash with Colombia, Ronaldo was on the field for the majority of the match. His stats included two touches in the opposition box, three shots taken, two offsides, and eight possessons lost.
The soccer great also had zero chances created, which certainly highlights that he just wasn't able to impact a significant game as he used to in his younger days.
Ronaldo showed some of that brilliance in a previous match, scoring two goals against Uzbekistan. But in fairness, Uzbekistan didn't qualify to move on, and they aren't the type of team Portugal will face in the upcoming Round of 32 or beyond.
They'll begin their tournament play with a Knockout Phase match against Croatia, and should they win, it would bring a potential clash with Spain in the Round of 16.
Some believed that Ronaldo and Portugal might be among the teams to watch out for at this World Cup. However, based on Ronaldo's performances, one has to wonder if he'll be able to contribute in the way this Portugal team needs for them to have any chance against teams like Croatia, Spain, and other stronger contenders.
More news: Colombia Robbed of Goal After VAR Rules Davinson Sanchez’s Toe Offside
For more about the World Cup, visit Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines