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Harriet Brewis
Nov 29, 2022
Portugal into last 16 as Fernandes double sinks Uruguay
content.jwplatform.com
We all know there’s no “i” in team, but there most certainly is in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal’s captain isn’t known for shying away from the limelight, but even he doesn’t usually claim credit for another player’s success.
That is, however, apparently what happened during his side’s 2-0 win over Uruguay on Monday night – a victory that secured their place in the World Cup knock-out phase.
It initially looked as though Ronaldo had scored the first goal by heading in a cross from teammate Bruno Fernandes. But replays showed that he didn’t actually get a touch on the ball, and credit was all due to Fernandes.
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Perhaps there was too much gel in his hair, but the now very much ex-Manchester United star didn’t seem to feel the lack of contact between head and ball. And as it struck the back of the net he threw his arms out in triumph.
When he finally learned that the goal had been awarded to Fernandes (who is very much still a Man-U player, by the way) he didn’t seem too impressed.
\u201cRonaldo still trying to rob bruno\u2019s goal. This guy\ud83e\udd22\n\n\u201d— Akshat (@Akshat) 1669671095
The hubristic mix-up delighted Twitter’s meme-makers, but there were inevitably some who were quick to spring to his defence.
Uber-fan Piers Morgan insisted his pal should be awarded the goal:
\u201cRonaldo touched that ball. He should be awarded the goal.\u201d— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1669671378
But Specsavers pointed out that the decision hadn’t gone Ronaldo’s way, asking if it was perhaps time Morgan booked himself in for an eye test:
\u201c@piersmorgan @Cristiano It was Bruno, do you need an appointment?\u201d— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1669666436
And in case there's any doubt:
\u201cRonaldo ran straight to Bruno after the ball went it. \n\nHow did he claim the goal here? \u201d— Man of Letters. (@Man of Letters.) 1669702491
Here’s a look at some of the other comedy reactions:
\u201cRonaldo hearing FIFA announce it as a Bruno goal\u201d— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) 1669666869
\u201cCristiano Ronaldo contributing to that Portugal goal \n\nhttps://t.co/v1ilKCIlz7\u201d— Action Network (@Action Network) 1669667293
\u201cVAR official when he saw the Ronaldo Goal:\u201d— Roronoa Zoro\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea (@Roronoa Zoro\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea) 1669706361
\u201cBruno Fernandez watching Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate the goal he scored\u201d— Ozzy\u26e7 (@Ozzy\u26e7) 1669666813
\u201cRonaldo claiming that goal \n\u201d— Hajir\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f (@Hajir\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f) 1669666560
\u201cRonaldo trying to explain how he scored Bruno\u2019s first goal:\n\nhttps://t.co/ywiUMUhdmV\u201d— Edmund \ud83d\udc89||Watch Football & Get Paid (@Edmund \ud83d\udc89||Watch Football & Get Paid) 1669668931
\u201cRonaldo credited with the goal after the ball brushed a strand of his hair \n\nhttps://t.co/jXyUthm4Fq\u201d— Walid Arsenal \u26bd\ufe0f\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde6 (@Walid Arsenal \u26bd\ufe0f\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde6) 1669666586
If Ronaldo had scored, he’d have matched Portugal’s current record World Cup goalscorer Eusebio.
But he’ll have to wait till the next stage of the competition to try to beat the 1960s icon.
Till then, he can just sit and watch the replays with his tail between his legs.
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