Vinay Nayudu
Doha
Soon after a tumultuous night, Cristiano Ronaldo hailed Portugal's win over a hapless Switzerland at the Lusail Stadium as "historic" – in a match in which he was dropped by head coach Fernando Santos.
Ronaldo did come off the bench and had a goal rightly ruled offside, before later hailing the performance of the team via an Instagram post.
"Amazing day for Portugal, with a historic result in the biggest contest in world soccer. Luxury display by a team full of talent and youth," he wrote in his post. "Congratulations to our national team. The dream is alive! To the very end! Come on, Portugal!"
It was a good gesture by Ronaldo, who in a way himself highlighted the strength of talent and youth in Portugal side which chose to do without the superstar’ full time play.
Clearly, the missing CR7 name on Portugal’s starting list made the biggest noise on Tuesday – a day which saw two thrilling matches of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. One in which former champions Spain were trounced by Morocco, and the other where Ronaldo was played as a substitute late into the match.
#CR37 circulated as one of the most comic messages on social media soon after brave Santos decided not bench his most famous but 37-year-old player.
Known for his super fitness, Ronaldo was reduced to the role of a superstar nobody wants after Portugal followed Manchester United's lead in deciding they might just be better off without him.
Santos’ gutsy decision in keeping back his country's sporting icon was vindicated in Portugal’s 6-1 annihilation of Switzerland to set up a World Cup quarter-final against Morocco.
It not only set the record straight of his decision to axe Ronaldo after the coach publicly criticized his gestures when he was substituted in the last group game against South Korea, but his right choice was underlined by the young replacement in Ramos who smashed a superb hat-trick.
It further hit the bruised ego of CR7, who after his fallout with his former club Manchester United coach Erik Ten Hag was facing similar music at the biggest stage of the sport.
What Portugal did was previously unthinkable - at least going as far back as 31 games and prior to Euro 2008. Santos, despite having a Euro 2016 win on his CV, also took a great risk for had Portugal lost he too would have paid the price.
But the 68-year-old, who has been Portugal's coach since 2014, seemed unfurled - walking up and down the sidelines with his stern expressions and hands in his pockets. It wasn’t long before Portugal showed their class and more vibrantly even as the world cameras stayed focused on a fuming Ronaldo behind him.
Ronaldo, before this game, had played 514 minutes of World Cup knockout football without a goal. And soon, Ramos had three in 67 minutes!
But then an icon remains an icon – at least for the fans. Just when Ramos had made it 5-1, a huge roar of "Ronaldo" began to sweep the vast Lusail Stadium, followed by chants of his celebratory trademark "Siu".
The popular demand saw Santos relent. He soon was seen speaking to Ronaldo and with 16 minutes left he substituted the star. And CR7 arrived to a huge reception.
Mixed emotions reflected large on Ronaldo’s face. He felt a bit embarrassed too making just a guest appearance rather than stealing the show – which was already done by Ramos.
Ronaldo would want to push away the adage - age catches up with all – at least for the next game when Portugal take on challengers Morocco for a place in the World Cup 2022 semi-finals.