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October 18th , 2024

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RONALDO STORMS OFF THE PITCH & HE IS LEFT FUMING BY LATE REFEREEING DECISION

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Sports

2 days ago



Cristiano Ronaldo did not have the best of nights on Tuesday evening as he left Hampden Park frustrated by a resolute Scottish defence that gave up only a point after a 0-0 stalemate.

Scotland went into the game without a win in their UEFA Nations League campaign, up against Ronaldo and Co who were top of Group A1 with three wins from as many games.

Yet the favourites were unable to break through Steve Clarke's impregnable back line, with Portugal enjoying 70 per cent of the ball throughout the game.

However their talisman - looking for his 134th international goal - put in a performance scarcely recognisable for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, or his exploits of yesteryear.

The 39-year-old was treated to the traditional pantomime boos when seen remonstrating to referee Lawrence Visser, and was visibly frustrated throughout.

His display was summed up by a bicycle attempt inside the first half - with his overhead kick goal against Juventus one of the most iconic goals of all-time - which flew well wide, rather than netting Portugal goal No 134 in spectacular fashion.

In total, Ronaldo had four shots, including a header from inside the box that was well off the mark and a sliced effort late on, with only one of them on target in a game that he will be keen to move on from.

Ronaldo was irate at the final whistle when he was denied the chance to take a corner with the clock having ticked past four added minutes. He ranted to the referee and gave the home fans a double thumbs-down before storming off the pitch.

However he was not the only Portugal star seemingly less than impressed by the standard of officiating on the night.

'Refereeing? If I were to give my honest opinion...' said Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha after the game.

'I don't want to mince words, it's better to remain silent. For those who understand, half a word is enough. But that's not why we didn't win the game. I would like to stress that we are still in first place and I hope we can maintain this good streak.

'We deserved to get something more out of this game, even though it's always difficult to play in Scotland.

'Our dominance in the game was clear. We deserved more than a draw. But I would like to highlight the work we've been doing. We're still in first place and we hope to secure qualification in the next two games, which will be difficult.'

Earlier on the game was marred by another fan seemingly looking to take their picture with Ronaldo after forcing their way onto the field.

Ronaldo is hardly a stranger to pitch invaders looking to grab a selfie with him, though on this occasion the Hampden Park stewards managed to stop the individual before they reached the forward.

The hosts also had chances on a night when they were plagued by careless turnovers as Scott McTominay narrowly missed with a header before the game was five minutes old.

Ben Doak laid the ball back to Andy Robertson and the captain found the unmarked McTominay with a pinpoint cross but the midfielder headed it straight at goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Scotland keeper Craig Gordon made a handful of terrific saves in the dying minutes against a swarming Portugal side.

The Hampden Park crowd erupted when Gordon dived to block a shot from Bruno Fernandes and then corralled the ball before Ronaldo could get there for the rebound.

'It's not about turning a corner,' Scotland boss Steve Clarke told reporters. 'It's just about working hard and not letting the country down. You could see that tonight

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