29th June, 2010
Cristiano Ronaldo’s wait to really make his mark at a major tournament will continue after Portugal were eliminated by neighbours Spain in the World Cup round of 16 after a 1-0 defeat on Tuesday. The 94 million-euro man arrived in South Africa vowing to confirm his status as one of the game’s most enduring talents by stamping his authority on the tournament that has witnessed the coronation of football’s true greats.
Sporadically decisive in the group phase, when he scored just once in a 7-0 thashing of North Korea, Ronaldo was unable to exert any kind of influence as the 2006 semi-finalists succumbed to Spain’s fabled passing carousel.
The skipper registered Portugal’s first shot on target with a typically ambitious long-range free-kick and his next dead-ball effort, from all of 37 metres, drew an unorthodox volleyball-style save from his club-mate Iker Casillas. The number seven in the white shirt cut a subdued figure in the second half as Spain tightened their grip on the match.
