Portugal knocked out of Euro 2020 despite Ronaldo being a top scorer
The 2016 Euro Cup champions haven’t managed to defend their title as Portugal were beaten 1-0 by Belgium on Sunday in Seville.
As per reports, the Portuguese footballer went home despite being the top scorer player with five goals in this championship. Ronaldo has become the oldest player to score for Portugal at a major tournament at age 36 years,130 days. He broke the record set by Pepe at World Cup 2018 (35 years, 124 days).
Portugal’s team manager Santos complimented the team’s overall performance before stating that some of the players were “crying in the dressing room”. According to him, Ronaldo didn’t score on Sunday but he is a true captain in every sense of the word.
The big moment came after the match when the official Twitter handle of Euro 2020 posted a video in which Ronaldo can be seen having a quick chat with Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. “Lucky, eh? (The ball) didn’t want to get in today! Good luck man,” Ronaldo was heard telling Courtois.
🗣️ “[The ball] didn’t want to go in today.”
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 27, 2021
🇧🇪🆚🇵🇹 Thibaut Courtois & Cristiano Ronaldo after the final whistle…#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/oBDyZG3f8j
Ronaldo’s performance was overshadowed by Belgian midfielder Thorgan Hazard as his 43-minute strike secured the big win. His brilliant goal was the standout of the night. “In these games, if you have a chance, you have to have a go. It went in, with a bit of luck and it was the goal that got us through. It’s a dream for me,” said Thorgan.
Belgium will now face Italy who beat Austria by 2-1, on Saturday. The match will be played on July 2 in Munich with full Covid-related SOPs as masks are mandatory in and around the stadium for the audience.