Cristiano Ronaldo could not hide his disappointment after being substituted during Portugal’s World Cup win over Croatia. Ronaldo’s side prevailed 2-1 after their opponents were denied a stoppage-time equaliser in dramatic scenes as the Al Nassr star could only watch on from the bench.
The 41-year-old had played every second of the World Cup until Roberto Martinez decided to replace him during the 81st minute. The veteran pulled his face and paused before obliging with the decision, showing more than a hint of frustration with his coach’s choice.
Ronaldo had already got on the scoresheet for his first-ever goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup, as he netted Portugal’s equaliser after Ivan Perisic had handed Croatia the lead. The former Real Madrid star had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside before he kept his cool from the penalty spot.
But with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Martinez decided that a winner would be found elsewhere and replaced Ronaldo with Ruben Neves.
“Look at his face,” said Matt Upson on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Straight away, the shake of the head and the disappointment. He couldn’t hide it.
“I think Martinez has made a sensible call to keep Portugal fresh and in the game.”
Commentator Stephen Warnock agreed. ” Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy. He is not happy at all,” he said.
“Take the name out of it, it is the right decision. Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t affected the game enough. Yes, he scored the penalty. The link-up play, the pressing, it is not there from him.
“For the good of the team, that is what Roberto Martinez has to think about. You have got to put your ego aside and think of the bigger picture.”
View 2 ImagesCristiano Ronaldo could only watch on from the sidelines(Image: 2026 Lampson Yip – Clicks Images)
Ronaldo’s expression was one of joy as Portugal eventually qualified for the last 16, where they will take on Spain. The Portugal captain also paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota, donning a shirt with his number during the team’s full-time celebrations.
Speaking following the match, Theo Walcott said it was the right decision for Ronaldo to be replaced. He admitted, however, not being convinced at the time.
“Cristiano Ronaldo had his moment and we had this debate, thinking about taking him off just before he had the goal offside and I was like ‘you can’t take him off’,” he said.
“I think it was the right decision in the end, it really was, even his response and these are beautiful scenes.”
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