CREDIT: Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters
Continuing the trend it started with its poor performance in Brazil at the 2014 World Cup, the Portuguese national team was unable to take advantage of its dominance over Iceland as both sides played to a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the 2016 European Championship.
While the score was even, the stats were far from it. The Seleção das Quinas outshot its Nordic opponents — which was making its first ever appearance at a major international competition — 25-4 and controlled 72 percent of the possession, but quantity is not always indicative of quality.
All four of Iceland’s shots were on target, the last of which being Birker Bjarnason’s equalizer, the first goal ever scored by his country at a European Championship.
The goal came as a result of Portugal’s defense — easily it’s weakest and most vulnerable area on the pitch — was caught ball watching as right-back Vieirinha lost his marker and allowed him to score the volley past Rui Patricio. From there, Iceland slowly became more defensive until its entire team was behind the ball.
There wasn’t much Patricio could do in that moment in the 50th minute, but every other time he was called to action, he came through. The Sporting CP goalkeeper saved Portugal early when Pepe lazily lost the ball at midfield and allowed a swift counter-attack from Sigurdsson, who was Iceland’s best player on the pitch.
The chance was the most danger Iceland created in the first half as Portugal grew into the game after a timid opening 15 minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo created the Reds’ first chance with some fantastic footwork on the left wing before whipping in a perfect cross to Nani, who headed it close enough to allow Halldórsson to make a phenomenal save.
Nani would avenge his mistake just past the half hour mark when he finished a lovely cross from Andre Gomes past Halldórsson to give Portugal a 1-0 lead which could’ve — and should’ve — been doubled or tripled before halftime.
While Nani made up for his mistake, Ronaldo wasn’t able to contribute past his delicious cross.
Playing in his 800th career match and tying Portuguese legend Luis Figo for most international matches for the national team with 127, the three-time Ballon D’or winner seemed more interested in making more personal history than helping his team make a positive start to the tournament.
A goal would make Ronaldo the first player to ever score in four different editions of the Euro after Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden was unable to reach the feat against Ireland a day before. It would also make him Portugal’s top goalscorer at the European Championships, as he was tied with Nuno Gomes heading into the match with 6 goals.
It was apparent Ronaldo had those records in mind from kick-off. According to Squawka, Ronaldo took 10 shots; six were blocked — including two consecutive free-kicks at the death that hit the wall — three were off-target, and just one was on target.
A number of those shots were taken with a teammate overlapping him on the wing to spread the pitch, something he ignored and fired away, only to see his shot blast against an Icelandic defender.
In addition to poor play on the ball, Ronaldo was embarrassing off it, constantly whining about calls and falling easily as he looked for free-kick chances to break his sought after records.
After his shots on the field were ineffective, Ronaldo took some more off the pitch, complaining about Iceland’s euphoric celebrations to the media.
The result isn’t the end of the world. With Hungary surprisingly defeating Austria earlier in the day, Group F is as wide open as it was before Tuesday. Austria looked nowhere near the level it was expected to be at, and Hungary, expected to be the worst team in the group, took advantage using swift counter-attacking.
But if Portugal hope to advance and continue its historically fantastic resume at the European Championships (seven participations; one final, four semi-finals, two quarterfinals), it needs Ronaldo to be the exact opposite of what he was against Iceland.
He was the worst version of himself.
Other players played as well. Here are my thoughts on a 1-10 scale:
Rui Patricio (8) – Not much he could do on the goal as Vieirinha left his marker wide open. Did well when his name was called otherwise, which wasn’t often.
Raphäel Guerreiro (8) – Representing Portugal in a major tournament for the first time in his country of birth, the Lorient left-back was brilliant going forward. He constantly created space by overlapping and was tireless in returning back on defense. Could’ve had a pair of assists had Portugal been more efficient. Was fighting for starting spot with Eliseu, and he surely won it Tuesday.
Ricardo Carvalho (7) – Was shaky at times but also made some key tackles. Oldest Portuguese player and third oldest overall to ever play at a Euro, he was as elegant as ever when stretching to earn back possession for Portugal.
Pepe (5) – While it wasn’t entirely his fault, was caught ball watching on the Iceland goal. Perpetuated his reputation of a dirty whiner with a late swipe after being fouled at midfield and constantly complaining to the referee. Criticism he receives is justified.
Vieirinha (6) – Was at fault for the goal, caught ball watching and leaving Birker Bjarnason’s completely open to volley past Patricio. Played a part in Portugal’s goal and was solid going forward, but his mistake led to Portugal being forced to chase a second goal rather than allowing its dominance to bring it naturally.
Danilo (7) – One of Portugal’s best players against Estonia in the 7-0 thrashing, when he scored his first international goal, Danilo had a very underwhelming performance against Iceland. Was solid for most part in defending, but was unable to stretch play with wide passes and didn’t make any darting runs which he tends to do from time to time.
Moutinho (7) – I was personally very worried about his form heading into the tournament, which had been abysmal in the friendly matches prior to the Euro, and while he wasn’t as good as he was in his last Euro, he was solid in possession and made some decent passes. Moved the ball laterally for the most part, but dropped back towards center backs to begin attacks well.
João Mario (6) – Mario was perfect in the first half, completing 100 percent of his passes, but didn’t add much to the attack. Was expected to push play like he did all season for Sporting, but he was tame aside from leading a pair of counter-attacks that ended in Ronaldo taking ill-advised shots. Was subbed off midway through the second half and his absence wasn’t felt.
Andre Gomes (9) – Man of the Match for Portugal, in my opinion. Provided the assist to Nani for the only goal and constantly pushed play forward, urging Portugal on as it seeked a second. Nearly put his side ahead with a strike outside the box after turning his defender inside out. Was subbed out for Eder in the 84th minute as a last ditch effort from Fernando Santos to win the match, but with three wingers already in the match, taking him out was a poor decision. Portugal dropped significantly after he came off.
Nani (8) – Named Man of the Match by UEFA, Nani’s goal was crucial for Portugal to take a point from this match. However, had he scored the initial chance that was provided to him on a silver platter from Ronaldo, the final result may well have been different and Portugal would leave the match with 3 points rather than one. In action away from goal, he did well to be involved in play but did not provide much outside of those two chances.
Ronaldo (5) – The most important player in the history of the Portuguese national team let his team and his country down with one of the worst performances he’s had wearing the red shirt. Selfish play took away from Portugal rather than providing the spark he’s meant to provide. Ignoring open teammates in favor of shots when he’s covered and constantly whining about calls he didn’t get are not things great players do. Surely, Ronaldo will improve in his next match, but for now, the fans will have a sour taste in their mouth from seeing such a poor performance from their greatest player.
SUBS:
Renato Sanches (5) – Came on for Moutinho in the 71st minute. Ran, ran, ran and ran some more and didn’t do much else. Led a counter-attack and made a nice lateral pass to Ronaldo, both of which ended with a poor shot from the skipper. Didn’t hurt Portugal, but didn’t make the impact he was expected to given the hype he has surrounding him after being bought by Bayern Munich for 40 M Euros.
Quaresma (5) – Wasn’t expected to play after a muscle injury two days prior, but desperate times call for desperate measure. Personally, I think subbing out Mario and putting in Eder to make the team play in a 4x3x3 would’ve made more sense, but Fernando Santos thought otherwise and put in Quaresma to do the same, putting Ronaldo as striker. It didn’t work out. Quaresma found himself in good positions to cross, but none were good enough.
Eder (2) – Came on as a last ditch effort when Iceland had all 11 behind the ball on the pitch and eight percent of its total population behind the team in the stands. Was unable to do much given the fact he wasn’t put in a position to succeed. There are many reasons to pick as to why Eder isn’t the best striker out there, but tonight was certainly not one.
