Cristiano Ronaldo was accused of 'waddling like a granddad' as Portugal's World Cup campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat against Spain. Mikel Merino's injury-time winner sent Spain to the quarter-finals, where they will face Belgium, who thrashed co-hosts USA 4-1.
Ronaldo's limp display draws criticism
The 41-year-old Ronaldo struggled to make an impact, with Spain's central defensive duo of Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi dominating him throughout the match. Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton, commentating for BBC 5 Live, did not hold back in his assessment.
He said: 'He's waddling around the field like a granddad. Honestly, that's why Portugal are out. There's a lot of them probably walking off the pitch now thinking Ronaldo you've killed us in this tournament. You're the reason we've gone out, you're the reason we've struggled in the final third.'
Sutton blames manager Martinez
Sutton reserved most of his ire for Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, who kept Goncalo Ramos on the bench despite the PSG striker scoring the winner against Croatia in the previous round. Ramos did not get a minute against Spain.
'This is all on the manager. How can Goncalo Ramos come off the bench and score the winner against Croatia and not actually get a minute? What is Roberto Martinez doing? How can you pander? His job was to try and win the World Cup and put the best team out for Portugal. Has he done that? Absolutely not. It's scandalous the way he has managed this team. Why did they not throw a punch?' Sutton added.
He continued: 'Your team is only as good as your centre forward. You can put the bulk of it on Ronaldo but more you put on the manager. You centre forward has to move, he has to contribute, he has to press, he has to have variation in his play and he doesn't, he's waddling around the field like a granddad. Ronaldo does nothing, he does absolutely nothing. He can sit in a press conference and say he got three goals and it's all about him. But there are some brilliant players in that Portugal team who will feel this World Cup was a complete waste of time.'
Social media rant
In a subsequent rant on X, Sutton doubled down, writing: 'Roberto Martinez is an embarrassment. Goncalo Ramos stays on the bench. Ronaldo does what he wants again! Portugal were a freak show, a circus. Martinez so weak.'
Spain's victory marked their record sixth consecutive clean sheet in the tournament, underlining their defensive strength. Portugal's exit leaves Ronaldo's World Cup dream in tatters, with the 41-year-old unable to influence the game as his team crashed out.
