by Craig Laycock
Original article:
Portugal 0 - 1 Spain
Merino (90’ + 1)
While this game promised much, Spain and Portugal played out a dull encounter that would not have entertained the neutrals. In a match that seemed to be governed by patience from both sides, it had more of the feeling of a cagey group game than an outright knockout.
This was evidenced no better than in the closing stages of the game where Portugal, a goal down and with seconds on the clock, decided to gently pass the ball around probing for the perfect pass rather than pack the box.
Meanwhile, talisman Cristiano Ronaldo leaves World Cup football with a limp exit that belies his status as a great, having contributed less than 20 touches in the 90 minutes.
Questions will be asked of this Roberto Martinez team: why did he persist with Ronaldo, except for sentiment’s sake? Why did he not employ a more urgent style to make the use of Portugal’s attacking prowess? We may never know the answer as Martinez left his post as planned after elimination.
One thing’s for sure. This could be the starting point for a new Portugal side without an aging Ronaldo. With the greatest of respect to one of football’s most notable contributors, Portugal needs fresh energy now more than ever.
On the other side of the coin, Spain progress to the Quarter Finals, meeting expectations. However, they have proven to be an extremely boring side to watch, and that makes them difficult to root for. For large periods in the game, it also made them deeply ineffective, as it seemed we’d returned to tiki taka.
Spain also allowed an opportunity for Nuno Mendes to strike the woodwork for Portugal. A warning sign that overcaution might be dangerous.
It took two substitutes to kick Spain into action. Ferran Torres slipped a very good central through ball to Merino, who latched onto it and finished calmly. It was a good goal, but it felt oddly anticlimactic.
If entertainment was the metric by how these two sides progressed through the tournament, neither would be going through. Spain will have to find another gear in their upcoming QF game with Belgium, who are renewed after beating the USA 4-1.
Now that was energetic football.
5 min read
Portugal 0 - 1 Spain
Merino (90’ + 1)
While this game promised much, Spain and Portugal played out a dull encounter that would not have entertained the neutrals. In a match that seemed to be governed by patience from both sides, it had more of the feeling of a cagey group game than an outright knockout.
This was evidenced no better than in the closing stages of the game where Portugal, a goal down and with seconds on the clock, decided to gently pass the ball around probing for the perfect pass rather than pack the box.
Meanwhile, talisman Cristiano Ronaldo leaves World Cup football with a limp exit that belies his status as a great, having contributed less than 20 touches in the 90 minutes.
Questions will be asked of this Roberto Martinez team: why did he persist with Ronaldo, except for sentiment’s sake? Why did he not employ a more urgent style to make the use of Portugal’s attacking prowess? We may never know the answer as Martinez left his post as planned after elimination.
One thing’s for sure. This could be the starting point for a new Portugal side without an aging Ronaldo. With the greatest of respect to one of football’s most notable contributors, Portugal needs fresh energy now more than ever.
On the other side of the coin, Spain progress to the Quarter Finals, meeting expectations. However, they have proven to be an extremely boring side to watch, and that makes them difficult to root for. For large periods in the game, it also made them deeply ineffective, as it seemed we’d returned to tiki taka.
Spain also allowed an opportunity for Nuno Mendes to strike the woodwork for Portugal. A warning sign that overcaution might be dangerous.
It took two substitutes to kick Spain into action. Ferran Torres slipped a very good central through ball to Merino, who latched onto it and finished calmly. It was a good goal, but it felt oddly anticlimactic.
If entertainment was the metric by how these two sides progressed through the tournament, neither would be going through. Spain will have to find another gear in their upcoming QF game with Belgium, who are renewed after beating the USA 4-1.
Now that was energetic football.
Last 16: Ronaldo's World Cup ends with a whimper
Spainful to watch.
Original article:
Portugal 0 - 1 Spain
Merino (90’ + 1)
While this game promised much, Spain and Portugal played out a dull encounter that would not have entertained the neutrals. In a match that seemed to be governed by patience from both sides, it had more of the feeling of a cagey group game than an outright knockout.
This was evidenced no better than in the closing stages of the game where Portugal, a goal down and with seconds on the clock, decided to gently pass the ball around probing for the perfect pass rather than pack the box.
Meanwhile, talisman Cristiano Ronaldo leaves World Cup football with a limp exit that belies his status as a great, having contributed less than 20 touches in the 90 minutes.
Questions will be asked of this Roberto Martinez team: why did he persist with Ronaldo, except for sentiment’s sake? Why did he not employ a more urgent style to make the use of Portugal’s attacking prowess? We may never know the answer as Martinez left his post as planned after elimination.
One thing’s for sure. This could be the starting point for a new Portugal side without an aging Ronaldo. With the greatest of respect to one of football’s most notable contributors, Portugal needs fresh energy now more than ever.
On the other side of the coin, Spain progress to the Quarter Finals, meeting expectations. However, they have proven to be an extremely boring side to watch, and that makes them difficult to root for. For large periods in the game, it also made them deeply ineffective, as it seemed we’d returned to tiki taka.
Spain also allowed an opportunity for Nuno Mendes to strike the woodwork for Portugal. A warning sign that overcaution might be dangerous.
It took two substitutes to kick Spain into action. Ferran Torres slipped a very good central through ball to Merino, who latched onto it and finished calmly. It was a good goal, but it felt oddly anticlimactic.
If entertainment was the metric by how these two sides progressed through the tournament, neither would be going through. Spain will have to find another gear in their upcoming QF game with Belgium, who are renewed after beating the USA 4-1.
Now that was energetic football.
5 min read
Last 16: Ronaldo's World Cup ends with a whimper
Spainful to watch.
Portugal 0 - 1 Spain
Merino (90’ + 1)
While this game promised much, Spain and Portugal played out a dull encounter that would not have entertained the neutrals. In a match that seemed to be governed by patience from both sides, it had more of the feeling of a cagey group game than an outright knockout.
This was evidenced no better than in the closing stages of the game where Portugal, a goal down and with seconds on the clock, decided to gently pass the ball around probing for the perfect pass rather than pack the box.
Meanwhile, talisman Cristiano Ronaldo leaves World Cup football with a limp exit that belies his status as a great, having contributed less than 20 touches in the 90 minutes.
Questions will be asked of this Roberto Martinez team: why did he persist with Ronaldo, except for sentiment’s sake? Why did he not employ a more urgent style to make the use of Portugal’s attacking prowess? We may never know the answer as Martinez left his post as planned after elimination.
One thing’s for sure. This could be the starting point for a new Portugal side without an aging Ronaldo. With the greatest of respect to one of football’s most notable contributors, Portugal needs fresh energy now more than ever.
On the other side of the coin, Spain progress to the Quarter Finals, meeting expectations. However, they have proven to be an extremely boring side to watch, and that makes them difficult to root for. For large periods in the game, it also made them deeply ineffective, as it seemed we’d returned to tiki taka.
Spain also allowed an opportunity for Nuno Mendes to strike the woodwork for Portugal. A warning sign that overcaution might be dangerous.
It took two substitutes to kick Spain into action. Ferran Torres slipped a very good central through ball to Merino, who latched onto it and finished calmly. It was a good goal, but it felt oddly anticlimactic.
If entertainment was the metric by how these two sides progressed through the tournament, neither would be going through. Spain will have to find another gear in their upcoming QF game with Belgium, who are renewed after beating the USA 4-1.
Now that was energetic football.
5 min read