Portuguese Media React to Ronaldo Controversy and Ireland Triumph at Aviva Disturbance
Portuguese media have reacted critically to Cristiano Ronaldo following his team’s loss to Ireland in a World Cup qualifier. The match, held at the Aviva Stadium, saw Portugal trailing 2-0 when Ronaldo was sent off for elbowing Irish defender Dara O’Shea. This red card left Portugal to contend with a two-goal deficit for the remainder of the match, ultimately affecting their performance.
Ronaldo’s Controversial Performance
Marco Vaza from Público labeled Ronaldo as the flop of the match. He noted Ronaldo’s dismissive comments towards O’Shea and criticized his lack of mental composure. Vaza remarked on the poor decision-making from the Portuguese attacking front, which included Ronaldo and João Félix.
Meanwhile, A Bola rated Ronaldo’s performance at a 2/10, while his replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, received a 6/10 for making a more significant impact in just a few minutes on the pitch. The Spanish publication AS described Ronaldo’s performance as “disgraceful,” highlighting the maturity of Irish player Troy Parrott, who earned the title of man of the match.
Critique of Portugal’s Tactics
Despite some media backing the referee’s decision, Portugal manager Roberto Martínez’s comments about the harshness of the call were noted. Vaza pointed out a lack of preparation from Portugal, stating that they treated qualification as a formality. He stressed that the players, including Ronaldo, did not adapt their game based on previous encounters with Ireland.
Martínez Under Fire
Criticism of Martínez intensified, particularly from Mariana Fernandes at Observador. She highlighted that Portugal has now lost five out of their last twenty matches and failed to score in eight of them, emphasizing the team’s underwhelming campaign. This led to questions regarding Martínez’s future as manager during his press conference.
Ireland’s Strong Form
The performance of the Irish team was widely praised. Afonso Santos from A Bola described their attack as exceptionally fast, with players like Ogbene, Azaz, and Parrott proving to be constant threats. The match saw Ireland capitalize on Portugal’s mistakes, leading to a standout performance that has reignited their World Cup campaign.
Post-Match Reactions
- Manuel Casaca of O Jogo reported tensions between Portuguese players and fans after the match.
- Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias were involved in confrontations with frustrated supporters.
- Silva’s emotional gestures showed the tension following the unexpected defeat.
The defeat has triggered a wave of disappointment among fans and critics alike, shining a spotlight on both Ronaldo’s controversial actions and the larger issues facing the Portuguese national team.
