Cristiano Ronaldo is clearly stuck in Champions League mode and that bodes well for Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
After a sensational hat-trick against Spain that included a dramatic late equaliser to make it 3-3 with a spectacular free-kick, the Real Madrid star took less than four minutes to score against Morocco.
From a short corner, Ronaldo’s clever dummy run left Manuel da Costa for dead before he powered home Joao Moutinho’s delicious cross for the only goal of the game.
He leads the goal-scoring charts with four strikes to his name and even though it’s still very early in the competition, here’s why he’s already the overwhelming favourite to win the prestigious Golden Boot.
HISTORY IS ON HIS SIDE
Just Fontaine holds the record for most goals scored at a World Cup when he bagged 13 in Sweden in 1958. However, it’s unlikely that Ronaldo would have to hit those heights to finish as the top scorer in Russia.
Only one Golden Boot winner has managed more than six goals since 1974. The Brazilian Ronaldo scored eight goals when he led his side to World Cup glory in 2002.
Meanwhile, four players ended up as top scorers with five each at the 2010 edition. Ronaldo is already just one shy of that mark.
King in front of goal: The Brazilian Ronaldo.
PORTUGAL GIVE HIM EVERY CHANCE
When you have the likes of Ronaldo or Lionel Messi in your team, it’s a no-brainer to set them up at every opportunity to get the best out of them. Argentina are certainly on board with that concept as Jorge Sampaoli has compromised his traditional tactics to have Messi operate as the central figure.
However, in trying to get the most out of the Barcelona star, they may have given him too much to do. Portugal on the other hand have hit the sweet spot with Ronaldo. He’s hardly an isolated figure, thrown up front and expected to come alive only in and around the penalty area.
No, the deployment of Goncalo Guedes and the clever interplay on and off the ball between the two forwards has ensured that Ronaldo isn’t a peripheral figure. He’s absolved of defensive responsibility as well, instead focusing on taking up positions to be integral on the counter-attack. Everything is geared towards giving Ronaldo every opportunity to be as big a goal threat as he can.
UPCOMING GAMES
Iran pulled off an upset when they beat Morocco 1-0 in the first round of fixtures and will be fighting for one of the top two spots in the group when they face Portugal in their final group game.
The Asian outfit will be underdogs in that fixture though as the 33 places between the two sides in the FIFA rankings would suggest. Iran should come into the game needing a result while opportunities are bound to come Ronaldo’s way. Given the form he finds himself in at the moment, who wouldn’t back him to score?
Finally, with the way Group A is shaping up, Fernando Santos’ side are likely to face Russia in the Round of 16 should they manage to win their own group.
While the hosts have enjoyed a great start to the tournament, they haven’t really been tested yet. An aging back-line should give Ronaldo every chance to add to his tally.
