RONALDO HEARTBREAK! Portugal vs. Spain FULL LIVE REACTION [Round of 16] | ESPN FC

ESPN FC

Tune into post-match following Portugal vs. Spain, where ESPN FC’s Mark Donaldson and Steve Nicol recap the match. ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plus.espn.com/ ESPN

字幕

Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] >> [music] [music] >> Welcome to ESPNFC Live presented by Mobile. Mark Donaldson and Stevie Nickel. The final whistle has just gone in Dallas and it's Spain who leave it very late to get a 1-0il victory over Portugal. Plenty to talk about with Stevie. Not so much about the game though, Stevie. That's Ronaldo's >> career at the World Cup. Pretty much over, but it's all about Spain and good teams find a way and it was Mikuel Mourinho in stoppage time. Um, we won't spend too much time on the game itself, but was this the correct outcome? Did Spain deserve their 1-0il victory today? >> I would I would think they did. Yeah, I think there's no question they started the better side in the first half. Um, Portugal had a couple of little spells where they passed it around, but really didn't look as though they were going to hurt Spain whatsoever. Um, Spain had what, three good opportunities. the goalkeeper Costas made three really good saves. Um, and at Halime it was pretty level, although as I said, Spain had had done more in the in the final third than Portugal. But the second half, if you're Portugal, you've you've got to look at yourself and and say, did we really give ourselves the best chance to go through here? Because in my opinion, there was only one team that was pushing to try and win this game in the 90 minutes, and that was Spain. Uh and obviously when it came along in the 90th minute, Moreno from a lovely little through pass from Torres flipping it home, it kind of felt as though justice had been done because Portugal in terms of of an attacking force just just went in the second half and were were completely disappointing. Um now I'll be honest, Spain were a little disappointing as well, but at least they were trying to push the envelope. They were trying to create something and and Torres did make a difference when he came on. As I said, he gave that lovely little slide rule pass to Moreno. >> It was build in some quarters before the game. We've seen the graphics as one of the best of his generation against one of we hope the best of this next generation. Cristiano Ronaldo's 41. Laminal turns 19 exactly one week from today. Who played better out of these two players today? [laughter] Have I got to choose one? I mean, listen, Yamal got more of the ball. That's not a surprise. You know, Cristiano was relying on balls getting put in the box for him. you know, he he doesn't have the legs to get around outside the penalty area and and and generally doesn't look to do too much out with that. So, yeah, he never really touched the ball. Um, I had the commentator saying he had two shots. I remember one of them. I'm not quite sure about the other. and Yamal had had a couple of decent runs that almost almost did something. But if you were to push me and say who was the slightly better of the two, I guess I would have to say Yamal because as I said he did he does ask questions of these of his fullbacks. [snorts] Uh obviously Mendes to begin with but he had to go off with an injury and then Semido came on. He had the he had the pleasure of facing Yamal, but yeah, he asked he asked more questions than Ronaldo did, so I'd probably have to say that he shaded it. Yamal just shaded it. >> What have you made of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup this year? >> Well, it's exactly what we thought it was going to be. If he gets it on the plate, he'll score, but we knew he wasn't going to contribute particularly an awful lot out with of that. He's certainly not going to be able to run in behind. Um he's not going to dribble and take people on. You know, the free kicks he's taken have been kind of Ronaldoesque the way they've have been over the last two, three, four seasons maybe. Um so yeah, I think I think we saw from Ronaldo what we expected. Um probably getting two goals. Some some may have not have expected that, but it's not a surprise. But yeah, um I think there's no question a talented Portuguese side I think was was unfortunately not able to rely on the real Cristiano Ronaldo. The fact that he's playing at 41 years of age is incredible. And the fact that he can still kind of do what he does at 41 is incredible. But unfortunately for Portugal and for Ronaldo himself, it was never going to be good enough to take them all the way to the final and indeed win the World Cup. That graphic for me was was telling. He had the the fewest touches in the first half at just 12. When all is said and done and they're back home at their various clubs and they look back over the World Cup in 2026 for Portugal, how will they look back on a a campaign that you've just said, look, when you put it on a plate for him, he'll do the business. But did Ronaldo hinder Portugal's chances of getting further? Or is that unfair on a 41y old who, as you say, is in brilliant shape, but he didn't quite have the impact he was hoping for? >> Look, I think I think it's [sighs] it's always going to it's always going to be harsh on Ronaldo uh because he's 41 years of age and because he's Ronaldo, he's expected to perform at a certain level. And if you're going to be a starter, then you have to perform at a certain level. And he's not been able to do that. And the question is, is it his fault? Is it Roberto Martin his fault for putting him in that position? And I would I would have to say probably yes. Um now, was there a natural successor that should have been playing ahead of him? [clears throat] You could argue that that other players regardless would have done a better job. Um, so listen, to say to say it hindered them, I think has been a bit harsh on one of the greatest players that ever played. Um, it it just didn't work out for them. And unfortunately, when the manager picked his squad and he picked Ronaldo as his number nine, it was always going to be a tough ask that he was going to lead them to World Cup glory. >> Something that did hinder Portugal was the injury suffered by Nuno Mendes. And I thought they they took the game to Spain a lot better in the second half. And look, he's he's probably the best left back in in the world. So for him not to get to an hour and having to go off hurt, what was the biggest difference you saw with Mendes on the field compared with the last half hour when he had to go off hurt? >> Well, I think it's pretty clear. No threat. He always was a threat going forward. Uh, you know, Yal was playing a little game of cat and mouse with him during the first half, trying to hold him back, but Mendes showed that he had the legs to go forward and back when needed. So, yeah, the biggest thing was the last half an hour with Seedo on, there was nothing going down that left hand side uh behind Xiao Felix. Um, he was kind of left to do it on his own. Uh, he didn't look capable of doing it on his own either. So yeah, that that option on the left hand side was completely gone when Mendes left the field. But at the same time, I would have to say had Mendes stayed on the amount of the amount of possession at Portugal certainly on the on the face of it had in my eyes, I don't know whether it would have made any difference because they just they didn't look as though they were capable of doing anything particularly and from an attacking sense. They were kind of treading water for most of that second half. I thought uh and then in the end as I said I thought Spain because of their endeavor to try and go forward to try and win the game in the 90 minutes actually paid off right on the 90th minute. >> We'll go in depth with Spain in just a second, but I want to finish off the the Portuguese angle by going back to Ronaldo. We've had loads of questions and you're very welcome to get in touch with us. We'll read the best out here on ESPN FC Live. This one says, "Stevie, as a manager, would you have pulled off Ronaldo in the later stages or would you have kept him on like Roberto Martinez to give your team the best chance of progress in this one?" >> I would have done either. I wouldn't have started him. I think Ramos should have started. And then you can bring on a fresh Ronaldo to take to take advantage of the the brain, the football brain that he has. in in the penalty box. He's got a superb football brain. He understands where the ball's going to land, where he's going to be. He he reads it well. He reads the game well. He reads the flight of the ball as well as anybody that's ever tried to hit a ball. So, there's no question for me. I wouldn't have had him starting probably in any of the games. I would have had him coming off the bench. >> What's Ronaldo's legacy? Well, >> he's one of the best players that ever kicked the ball. I mean, don't get any better than that, does it? >> Is it a sad way for this to end for him because he came out prior to this game at the press conference said, "Look, I'm I'm done. This is going to be my my last World Cup." Because you couldn't have you couldn't have rung a single bit more out of out of what he's done, but maybe just a tournament too much for him. I mean, let's just say that when when Ronaldo's talked about in later years, nobody is going to be talking about this World Cup and this game against Spain. I mean, they just won't. They'll be there's a million things to say about the greatness of Ronaldo and and this this World Cup will not be in that, which is fair enough. It's his sixth one. There's plenty to choose from from the last five. Um, so yeah, I don't I don't think it's it's it's not a sad at all. It's it's an incredible achievement. Six World Cups playing at 41 um at such a high level is is an incredible feat in itself. It's just unfortunate he wasn't able to top it off. But yeah, it's not it's not sad. It's just a chance to look back and think about what a great achievement he's he's had with Portugal in particular on the international stage. >> Yeah. And maybe it's the case that he'll have to be retired before we can look back and and truly realize um how lucky we were to watch him and and how good a player he was for for Portugal because he's still playing and it's difficult right now. Everyone comes to the end of their career and they slow down but I think when we look bigger picture we really will appreciate what he has done for the game of football. Now, Spain, how much further can Dilente take this team? Uh because they could still win this World Cup, but they've become probably even harder to score against now. Still haven't conceded. And today, all it takes is is one. So, what's the difference between the swashbuckling style of Spain in recent years and this more pragmatic style that Duoente has right now? Well, I think and [clears throat] in some ways it might be too obvious. Um, but when you have Yamal and Williams on the flanks and obviously Williams isn't fit and Yamal's not 100% fit, you know, the the difference that they made to Spain or make to Spain at the best is is just incredible, you know. Um, now you're having to rely on on Danny Elmo who's a great player. You're having to rely on or Azabal who had an incredibly great opportunity in the first half that I thought again Costa did well coming out making himself big and put it past the post for me because of the goalkeeper. Um, you know, these guys have these guys have been asked to step up and do what Yamal and Williams were doing in previous tournaments and right now they're not quite capable of doing it. I don't think Pedri and in fact I would say today probably was Pedri's worst game I've ever seen him play. I thought he gave the ball away an a lot. I don't think he contributed too much uh in ter of positive things, [snorts] you know, passing the ball forward or making breaks or playing killer passes. He wasn't he wasn't on his game today at all. Um and unfortunately Rodri hasn't quite gotten back the form that he had before that that knee injury. So yes, tight to the back. Um but going forward, I think that's that would be the worry for DeFente. How does he how does he get this team to create the way they have done previously? >> Let's get to some more of your fans questions. What's more impressive, Stevie? Spain's squad depth. Mourinho coming on and scoring the winner after being the man chosen to replace Danny Almo in 85 minutes or that Spain haven't conceded [clears throat] yet and for most of the games don't really look like they're going to concede. >> Do you know when you're playing in in the knockout stages of anything if you don't lose goals >> Yeah. >> you don't lose games. So yeah, I think it's incredible that they've been able to keep as many clean sheets as they have. Um, you know, coming in the question was should Simon be in goal? Uh, I was always of the the thought that, you know, particularly him and Kubarci are very settled with each other. Um, you know, whether it was going to be Lenor or anybody else, I think the fact that they've they've had a pretty settled back line, then that makes a huge difference. But I certainly wouldn't have put my money on them keeping so many clean sheets. So, I I think that's more surprising than anything else that they've kept so many clean sheets. And as I said, it really is key when you're not quite as as sharp and as as good as you've been going forward, then you can always rely on your backline to either keep you in the game or keep getting you the ball. They did have a bit of good fortune when the effort that deflected of Pedro Porro hit the bar, but the Portuguese chances today were few and far between. Now, I'm assuming this next question comes from a US fan, but it may come from a Belgian supporter, not wanting to get and put the cart before the horse here, but what chance for Belgium or the US, the winner of that against Spain in the quarterfinal? Everybody's always got a punch chance. We We've seen teams that weren't supposed to do anything in this tournament. The obvious candidates being Dia Congo and Kate Verde not having a chance. And boy, did they give people a fright. Uh so, as I say, every team that steps on the field has has at least a punch chance. And when we're analyzing games, we we really have to go off what they've been doing recently. You know, we can't look at Belgium of six years ago and and we can't look at think of Spain when when we're talking about Williams and Yamal fly and we have to look at what we're looking at right now. So, so we have to be realistic when we're when we're assessing games. But yeah, Belgium and the US, I would say the US have got more more than a punch chance. >> Mhm. But the Belgians, who in my opinion are underdogs against the US purely because of the way they've been performing in this World Cup, I I I don't know how they've got this far. I can't think of one player in that Belgian side who has actually shown what they're capable of. Maybe Doc who's come the closest with his energy and at least the things that he tries to do even though it hasn't quite come off. But I mean, if you look around the rest of the team in in my opinion, Tailman's, uh, Trosard, Lukaku clearly isn't fit, so you can't really pin him down for and and De Bruyne, you know, the people that they're relying on just haven't been at the races. And so I I'm not sure that they're just going to turn up against the USA and be at the races. So that's why I think the USA are favorites. [snorts] And if indeed the US wins, then I think we'll have slightly more than a punches chance. You don't get the quarterfinal unless you got something about you. Goals win games, but defense wins championships. As a former defender yourself, would you rather be on the French horse or Argentina or Colombia or whoever comes through from that side and you've got the more pragmatic side of Spain potentially on the other side? Are you having the flare or are you having the kind of substance defensively uh to come out on top? >> Well, I'm going to take that question as who would you play? Who would you want to play for if you were playing right now? Would that be would that be how I'm reading it? >> Well, you get more clean sheet bonuses with France. Uh sorry, with with Spain, but you'd probably get more assist bonuses if you played for France. So, you'd want to play for France, right? Absolutely. Yeah. You want to play with the best team and I think the best team are France. So regardless of which side of the draw you're on, you always want to play with the best team. Um and so I think I think clearly we've seen that France are the best team. Um can't argue what you're talking about in terms of clean sheets with Spain, but yeah, if if I've got a choice of Spain or France and pulling on the Jersey, I'm pulling on the uh the French one. our legendary performance presented by mobile. Who stood out most for you today? Do you know I was initially going to go with for the goal, but I think I will I think I've thought about it a bit more and changed my mind and and I think Felon Torres made a difference when he came on. He made some runs in behind, almost in behind, had a cut back that nobody got on the end of. >> And of course, what a fantastic ball he played through for the goal. So, I'd have to go with Torres. Even though he was only on for what, 20 minutes, 15 minutes, I think he made an impact. And then other than scoring the goal, there isn't a bigger impact actually making your whole team better and then being having an assist for the for the match winning goal. So, I'm going to go with Torres. >> Okay, we'll wrap this up with Spain shortly, but just going back to Portugal. Um, let's discuss their World Cup campaign. 1-1 disappointing start with Dr. Congo. Excellent against Usbekistan put them away 5n. I thought the Colombia Portugal game, I know there weren't any goals. I loved every minute of that. Just the flowing nature of that. It could easily have been 2-2, but it finished nil nil against Croatia. a hard-fought 2-1 win in that one and then losing to Spain today. They'll go back. They'll not be met at the airport because it's just a it's a World Cup that they didn't go as far as they would have liked, but overall, how would you rate their performance in the games that I've just said? >> Well, they've got to be disappointed. [sighs] Listen, it's one thing to lose a game when you're creating chances or not just a game, but get knocked out of tournament if you've been creating chances. You know, opposition goalkeepers are standing on their head. The opposition are scoring worldly goals against you. You know, some things you just can't do anything about. However, I don't think there's any question that other than the the five they put past I think it was Beckistan. He said other than that they were disappointed that in the other games they they labored with the talent they have in the middle of the park and the talent they got in the wide areas. I think they'd be disappointed the way they labored in terms of creating opportunities for themselves and opportunities for the center forward Cristiano Ronaldo. So I think overall no question all around it's disappointment. I don't think there really is a positive if you're a Portuguese player fan or manager. I think it's it's all negative and very disappointing with what everybody calls a golden generation. I'll tell you what, teams teams much dread being called that cuz I don't remember a golden generation ever winning anything whether it's England, Portugal, Belgium, whoever. just when you see the way they finished in the group. Had they won against Colombia, they would have topped the group and they would have had a different path through that you could argue might have been a bit easier than what they ended up with. But they go home. Spain go through nil nil against Cape Verde. No one expected that one. One of the things that did was just boosted the Instagram followers of their 40-year-old goalkeeper who's over 20 odd million now. Nil nil to start with and then it was like the red rag