DOHA, Qatar (AP) — One other sport, one other private milestone. For all of the turmoil that has surrounded Cristiano Ronaldo forward of what’s prone to be his last World Cup, the Portugal nice continues make his mark. On Thursday he grew to become the primary man to attain in 5 World Cups. Earlier this season he registered the 700th membership aim of his profession. Not dangerous for a 37-year-old, who doesn’t know the place he can be taking part in past Qatar after having his Manchester United contract terminated within the wake of his incendiary interview criticizing supervisor Erik ten Hag and the membership’s homeowners.A win in opposition to Uruguay on Monday would safe Portugal’s qualification from Group H to the knockout phases with a sport to spare after its opening 3-2 win in opposition to Ghana.“That is just the start,” Ronaldo mentioned in an Instagram publish, including that “there are not any impossibilities.”But when soccer’s final numbers man is to realize his ambition of lifting the one main trophy that eludes him, he can not do it by himself.That a lot was clear in opposition to Ghana, when Portugal additionally wanted targets from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao to carry on for victory.Felix is the likeliest inheritor to Ronaldo’s throne as Portugal’s inspiration-in-chief – and has even been linked with a possible transfer to United.If Qatar is Ronaldo’s final World Cup dance, the strikes should not fairly as fluid as they as soon as had been.His aim in opposition to Ghana got here from the penalty spot, somewhat than a second of the kind of particular person brilliance on which his profession has been constructed.That being mentioned, FIFA Technical Research Group member Sunday Oliseh nonetheless described as “complete genius” his skill to win a disputed foul from Mohammed Salisu that Ghana coach Otto Addo insisted shouldn’t have been awarded.Ronaldo’s celebrations prompt he doesn’t care the place the targets come from, as long as they carry on coming. However Portugal can not solely depend on such moments — and amid the noise that surrounds its most celebrated participant, it may be forgotten how a lot expertise coach Fernando Santos has at his disposal.Not least Atletico Madrid ahead Felix, United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva of Manchester Metropolis.“A range with the standard of ours must be favourite in any sport,” mentioned Portugal ahead Goncalo Ramos forward of Uruguay on the Lusail Stadium. “It’s necessary to win the second sport now.”Uruguay drew 0-0 with South Korea in its first sport of the event.Like Portugal, Uruguay is mixing the previous and the brand new. Ronaldo’s long-time rival from their time at Actual Madrid and Barcelona respectively, Luis Suarez, is in an assault that additionally options the nation’s new era of expertise in Darwin Nunez and Facundo Pellistri.At 35, Suarez is not the power he as soon as was and he was substituted simply after the hour in opposition to South Korea. One other 35-year-old in Edinson Cavani changed him, however Uruguay nonetheless couldn’t discover a aim.Ghana uncovered vulnerabilities in Portugal’s protection – however Uruguay will must be rather more scientific whether it is to capitalize on Monday.___James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson___
After newest milestone, Ronaldo eyes World Cup glory
