By Alfredo Echenique Lugo
03 Jul 2024, 14:34 PM EDT
Portugal qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Championship in a dramatic way by beating Slovenia on penalties. However, the match could have ended differently, as a missed penalty by Cristiano Ronaldo in the first period of extra time and a subsequent error by Pepe almost eliminated the Portuguese.
But a brilliant Diego Costa in goal, stopping a one-on-one at the end, and three penalties in the final shootout gave Portugal a pass to the next round.
After the match, and despite qualifying, there was some criticism of coach Roberto Martínez and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
One of those who strongly criticised Cristiano and the coach was former Liverpool player Steve Nicol, who said that the Portugal captain is no longer up to this task and yet no one is confronting him about making him step aside.
“He takes them because he says he takes them (referring to penalties). Roberto Martinez wouldn’t say no to him,” the Scot said in an appearance as a commentator on ESPN.
He also argued that in Portugal nobody says no to Cristiano Ronaldo, which is a big problem for him. “The problem that Portugal and Roberto Martinez have is that Ronaldo is held in such high regard that nobody wants to be the one to say no,” Nicol said.
On the other hand, he commented that Portugal depends too much on Cristiano Ronaldo and that is a big problem for the Portuguese national team.
“It’s a fact. Nobody wants to say no to this guy and everything will depend on Ronaldo. Surely he should look at what is happening, realise that he is not going to score a free kick, put his ego aside and do what is best for the team,” explained the former player.
For now, Portugal is concentrating on facing France in the quarter-finals of the European Championship, in order to try to qualify for the semi-finals and try to replicate what they achieved in 2016 when they lifted the champions’ trophy.
Keep reading:
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· Cristiano Ronaldo speaks after his tears: “Initial sadness and final joy, that’s what football gives”
· Up to $6,000 for a ticket to the Germany vs. Spain Euro Cup quarter-finals