Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has explained why he substituted Cristiano Ronaldo during his team’s World Cup last 32 match with Croatia.
For the first time in his glittering career, Ronaldo scored a goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup as Portugal reached the last 16.
The 41-year-old opened the scoring from the penalty spot in Toronto before his side closed out a 2-1 victory to tee up a mouth-watering clash with Spain.
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Despite his advancing years, Ronaldo is not often substituted – particularly in the biggest games. He did, however, come off around ten minutes before full-time.
According to Martinez, it was purely a tactical decision.
Portugal took Ronaldo off to play more defensive football
The score was 1-1 when Ronaldo exited the field, with defensive midfielder Ruben Neves taking his place.
Martinez confirmed he wanted the team to have more solidity, hence why he took a forward off in the form of Ronaldo for a reasonably defensive player such as Neves.
Speaking to reporters after the game, he said (via Mais Futebol): “During the game we tried to take a lot of risks with two forwards to pressure Croatia’s central defenders, because Croatia isn’t a team that has defensive midfielders who get back to the defensive line. But then we needed another midfielder and that was the moment to use Rúben Neves, which is why we took off a forward.”
The threat of extra-time and penalties were looming when Ronaldo’s night came to an end, but Portugal found a way to get over the line.
Goncalo Ramos scored a late winner before a tight offside call ruled out what looked like an even later Croatian equaliser.
Asked if Ramos would play more regularly now, Martinez said: “Goncalo Ramos is very important to us, there are games where he’s needed. There are games where defensive midfielders help the center-backs defend, so having another forward helps the game. Every game is different, the important thing is when the players are on the field and focused on helping the team.”
Many have called for Ramos to start ahead of Ronaldo, given where the two are at in their respective careers. Ramos, of course, famously scored a hat-trick in Portugal’s 6-1 win over Switzerland at the last 16 stage at the 2022 World Cup when he replaced Ronaldo in the starting lineup.
It remains to be seen who starts when they meet rivals Spain in Dallas on Monday July 6.
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