Cristiano Ronaldo needs to find prime finishing form to justify place in Portugal’s starting XI

Portugal scraped past a valiant Czech Republic via goals made possible because of their opponent’s mistakes — an own goal by centre-back Robin Hranac and a 92nd-minute strike from 21-year-old centre forward Chico Conceicao who capitalized on an error by the same defender.

As the camera panned in on a delighted Cristiano Ronaldo hugging Conceicao, one couldn’t help but wonder if the Porto youngster might eventually come for the keys to the kingdom. Because on the night against Czech, the once lethal CR7 looked like he was struggling to adjust to the pace of the game with mistimed headers, erratic runs that would leave him in an offside position and shots that would find the back-netting in his prime, saved by the keeper. In one word, he came out of this match looking a bit ordinary, a small part of his aura depleted.

There were moments of fine touch, especially in the first half. He rolled back the years with a slick backheel pass to Vitinha.

But he just wasn’t his usual exceptional self that fans have come to associate with the star playing his 6th straight Euro since his debut in the 2004 edition of the championships, a full 20 years ago. It is this longevity, along with his goalscoring form that has kept Ronaldo from receiving the same sort of flak that someone like Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku has to face due to his unpredictable finishing skills, the latest coming after his misses against Slovakia in a match that the Red Devils lost 1-0.

Soccer Football – Euro 2024 – Group F – Portugal v Czech Republic – Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig, Germany – June 18, 2024 Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo kisses the ball REUTERS/Karina Hessland

On Tuesday night, Ronaldo’s finishing was a cause for concern for the Portugal side and their coach Roberto Martinez, who will have much to think about after the final whistle.

In the match largely dominated by Portugal, the players did create enough chances for their talisman, which if he was in his prime form would all result in goals. But for a striker who has spent 18 months in the Saudi League where the level of competition is lower and margin for error far wider, it’s going to take a lot more than a few international friendlies and some qualifiers for Ronaldo to hit his stride.

The near-misses

Case in point, in the 8th minute Portugal’s brightest spark Rafael Leao cut inside from the left and floated a ball towards Ronaldo who was completely unmarked. The veteran striker who must have anticipated Leao to move into the box instead of crossing, got the timing of his header wrong and the ball went well wide of the Czech goalkeeper.

Next, in the 32nd minute, Ronaldo, who looked to be in a tight offside situation, was set free into the box by a beautiful threaded pass by ex-Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Ronaldo’s shot was saved by the onrushing Jindrich Staneks as another opportunity trickled by.

Again, in the first added minute of the first half, Ronaldo came very close with a turn and a low sharp shot which was kept out by the goalie.

The missed chances continued in the second half as Ronaldo rose up to meet a cross in the early exchanges but shot it well over the bar. After a few minutes, he had an opportunity with a free kick, just 30 yards out of the Czech goal but although he managed to beat the wall, the ball went straight into the grasp of the goalkeeper.

Soccer Football – Euro 2024 – Group F – Portugal v Czech Republic – Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig, Germany – June 18, 2024 Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo shoots at goal from a free kick REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

Portugal would continue with their dominance despite these near chances. A goal from Lukas Provod put the Czech Republic in the lead. But Portugal’s relentless approach counted for a mistake from the Czech defence that allowed an equalizer.

Ronaldo almost redeemed himself after an anonymous performance throughout the second half by hitting a bullet header into the opposition’s bar, the rebound of which was headed into the net by Diogo Jota. But VAR intervened and revealed that the Al Nassr player was offside so the goal wouldn’t stand.

Ultimately, it was Chico, the son of Sergio Conceicao, a player who played his last international match in Portugal colours in 2003, the year Ronaldo made his international debut, who made the difference in 2024.

The next step

While Martinez might not want to court controversy by outrightly dropping Ronaldo from the starting lineup, he might start to at least substitute the player when he needs more attacking options from the bench. On Tuesday, Ronaldo continued to stay on the pitch till the final whistle even though he had failed to create much of an impact while the lively Leao was subbed off.

With Ronaldo’s almost god-like stature in the sport, the transition might be a few years away but it’ll be sooner rather than later that Portugal will have to look past their favourite son. With matches against Turkey and Georgia coming up, two sides which played a scintillating end-to-end attacking game on Tuesday, Ronaldo might have to channel his prime finisher form to justify his place in this Portugal lineup, at least as a striker.

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