Not content with just his opening-day heroics, Cristiano Ronaldo donned the Superman cape once again.
Cometh the fourth minute, cometh the man as the Real Madrid show-stopper flew through the air to give Portugal a hard-fought victory against Morocco on Wednesday.
The effort took his World Cup tally to four and sent a generally impressive Morocco out of the competition inside the first week.
KEY STATS
30-SECOND REPORT
Age may have slightly dulled his speed but evidently not his first step. Morocco had barely taken their first breath before the 33-year-old cut their marking to ribbons.
Manuel Da Costa was the unlucky man to be slapped with the job of marking – arguably – the best player in the world and as Ronaldo jagged right, the defender was left flailing.
It gave Ronaldo all the clean air he needed to thunder a header past Munir Mohamedi.
In the end, it was all Portugal needed.
GOT RIGHT
BIG-GAME MENTALITY – Though Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the undisputed players of their generation, neither have truly taken over an international tournament.
Despite winning FIFA’s Golden Ball four years ago, it was Argentina grind rather than Messi magic that saw them through to the final. Similarly, Ronaldo had a few moments here and there in Euro 2016 only for an injury to cut short his final.
It’s only been two games. However, a world-class player putting an average team on his back … whisper it quietly but there are shades of Diego Maradona.
128 - Cristiano Ronaldo's tally of goals (85) is a record for a European male. The overall record is held by Germany's Birgit Prinz; who scored 128 goals for the German national women's team. Clarification. https://t.co/9XYtOluthB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 20, 2018
GOT WRONG
SECOND FINISH – As fine a winner as it was, Ronaldo could have settled nerves that Morocco kept pressing until the finish as Portugal’s slow defence was exposed by the likes of Hakim Ziyech.
Whereas everything he struck turned to gold against Spain, he aimed fire at spectators more often than not in Moscow.
Two free-kicks in particular were a bad waste and he sent one promising chance into orbit in the second half.
SPORT360 VERDICT
This was vintage Ronaldo in snapshot form rather than 90 minutes. Thankfully for Portugal it was enough, with their deficiencies in defence laid bare.
The Real superstar received little help in attack, too, with Bernardo and Goncalo Guedes both sub-par and he was a threat on his own sans the finishing.
If Ronaldo can sustain these levels then anything is possible. Don’t bet against him.
RATING – 7/10
