Ronaldo tucks into 'bread & salt' ceremonial welcome

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic stated outright what he felt regarding the controversial penalty call following his side’s 4-2 defeat to France in Sunday’s World Cup final, saying : “You don't give a penalty like that in a World Cup final.”

A debatable penalty awarded with the use of FIFA's new video replay system proved a turning point in the World Cup final on Sunday as debate focused on erronous referee calls.

France and Croatia were level at 1-1 in an evenly contested match when Argentine referee Nestor Pitana was alerted to a possible handball ten minutes from half time and, after checking the off-field screen, he decided Croatia's Ivan Perisic had handled. While there is no doubt that the ball did hit the Croatian’s hand, the focus will remain on whether the handling of the ball was intentional.

Antoine Griezmann converted the penalty and France went on to win 4-2. Even after the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, it remained a highly contentious call. Many former players called the awarding of the penalty a dubious decision with former England and Liverpool defender perhaps rightly suggesting that ‘It’s the referee’s mistake, not VAR! VAR is just the replay of an incident.’

The decisions proved to be a turning point in the match as France’s influence grew following their second goal. Dalic said he thought such a decision had no place in a game of such magnitude.

“We played well but the penalty knocked the wind out of us and after that it was very difficult," Dalic said after congratulating France on their victory. "I just want to say one sentence about that penalty: You don't give a penalty like that in a World Cup final.”

The Croatia coach conceded that his team had let in two ‘soft goals’ but lamented the fact that things did not go their way when they were in a good position to fight for the match.

“We wanted to win the World Cup so much, but that's football," he said. "The French did not surprise us; we let in two soft goals coupled with an own goal and a penalty.

“What we had in terms of luck in this tournament, we lacked today. When you concede four goals, you cannot expect to win the game.”

Neverthless, Dalic went on to congratulate France and praised his team’s effort after they gave a vastly talented French side a run for their money.

“I congratulate France on their title. We played well in the first 20 minutes, we controlled the game. Then there was an own goal from a set play. We came back to life, dominated and then the penalty was given,” Dalic said.

“I have to congratulate my players, it was maybe the best game we played in this tournament; we controlled the match but we conceded. Against such a strong side as France you must not make mistakes. We are a bit sad, but we have to be proud as well for what we’ve done.”

You would expect Manchester United to dominate the headlines following their crucial league win over Fulham, with a late winner scored by the 18 year old Alejandro Garnacho. Cristiano Ronaldo on the other hand, had different plans.

Back in august, Ronaldo wrote on Instagram that, "They (will) know the truth when they interview in a couple weeks." When asked about the possible interview back then, United Manager Erik Ten Hag replied, "I don't know what he will achieve with that."

Three months passed and United fans probably forgot about Ronaldo's comment. However, Ronaldo didn't forget, and just a week before the world cup, the bombshell interview dropped out of the blue.

In the "most explosive interview he's (Ronaldo) ever given" – as per Piers – Ronaldo took a dig at the club executives, the manager, former manager Ralf Rangnick and even his former teammate Wayne Rooney.

He claimed United tried to make him a "Black Sheep" and accused the club of doubting him and when his daughter's illness made him return late for pre-season. 

When asked about United trying to force him out, he replied, "Yes. Not only the coach but the other two or three around the club. I felt betrayed."

He also followed the likes of Zlatan, Van Gaal and Mourinho in showing his discontent at how the club is run. He says, "Nothing changed. I thought I would see new technology, infrastructure. I saw (the same) things I saw when I was 20"

In addition to that, he claimed to be surprised when United hired Ralf Rangnick and said, "This guy is not even a coach." 

He added, "You have some things inside that don't help reach the top level as City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal."

He also hit back at Wayne Rooney for his comments saying, "I don't know why he criticises me so much, probably because he's finished his career and I'm still playing at the top level." 

When asked about Ten Hag, he replied, "I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me."

Ronaldo claims he wants to express his side of the story and show that he wants change for the good of the club. Piers Morgan also told talkSPORT after the interview that, "He loves United and the fans but feels if he doesn't speak nothing will change."

However, the manner in which he lashed out at the club probably did more harm than good. Just when United seemed to be improving, his acts overshadowed the squad's recent progress and created a negative environment and brought unwanted attention.

For now, United have handed out a hefty fine to their legend, but we can expect that Ronaldo's time at United will come to an end due to this.

What was supposed to be a fairytale homecoming of a fan favorite, ended up being the worst possible experience for all parties involved. If there was any hope to rekindle the relationship between Ronaldo and United, it's all gone now. It remains to be seen what happens in the future after this.

Tamjidul Hoque is ready to be hurt again by Argentina this world cup, tell him what you think will happen this time at: tamjidulh@gmail.com 

References:

1. www.sportskeeda.com (August 19,2022). "I don't know what he will achieve with that" – Ten Hag responds to Cristiano Ronaldo announcing he will 'tell the truth' in 2 weeks amid ongoing transfer saga.

Cristiano Ronaldo made European Championship history as Portugal ended Wales's extraordinary Euro 2016 journey with a 2-0 semi-final win on Wednesday that sent them into the final.

In what was billed as a shootout between Ronaldo and his Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale, it was the Portugal captain who prevailed, opening the scoring in Lyon with a majestic 50th-minute header that saw him tie France great Michel Platini's record of nine goals at the Euro finals.

He also teed up Nani for Portugal's second goal three minutes before consoling his club colleague Bale on the pitch at the end.

Fernando Santos's men now go on to a Sunday showdown at the Stade de France with either Germany or hosts France, who meet in Marseille on Thursday.

It will be only Portugal's second major final after Euro 2004, when a 19-year-old Ronaldo was left in tears on the Estadio da Luz pitch in Lisbon after the hosts were beaten 1-0 by Greece.

While Ronaldo -- whose three goals leave him one short of France's tournament top scorer Antoine Griezmann -- closes in on what would be his first international trophy, Bale and Wales's dreams of emulating Greece ultimately came up short.

Missing the suspended Aaron Ramsey, they failed to test a Portugal team who had not previously won inside 90 minutes at the tournament.

But having reached the last four in their first major competition since the 1958 World Cup, Chris Coleman's side and their redoubtable red-shirted fans leave France with their reputation immeasurably enhanced.

West Ham United defender James Collins got the nod for Wales in place of the suspended Ben Davies and he coped manfully with the threat posed by Ronaldo in the first half, although he was perhaps fortunate to escape censure for a penalty-box headlock on the Portugal captain.

Ronaldo had to wait until the 44th minute until his first sight of goal, heading over from Adrien Silva's inswinging left-flank cross, while Joao Mario dragged a shot across goal and wide.

With Ramsey absent, there was even more onus than usual on Bale to make things happen for Wales and he was the stand-out player in an otherwise flat first period.

From Joe Ledley's training-ground corner he swiped a shot into the stands, while a galloping run down the right wing culminated in a shot that flew straight into Rui Patricio's gloves.

But if the first half was all about Bale, the second was all about Ronaldo.

A short corner on Portugal's left yielded the opening goal five minutes after the restart.

Raphael Guerreiro curled a cross to the back post and Ronaldo leapt above James Chester, seeming to hang in the air, before powering a header past Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey's flailing left hand.

Wales had taken control of the game after falling behind to Belgium in the quarter-finals, ultimately winning 3-1, but Portugal gave them no chance of doing that by scoring a second goal within three minutes.

Ronaldo was this time the provider, albeit inadvertently, as his mishit shot was prodded into the net by his former Manchester United team-mate Nani.

Coleman made three attacking changes, sending on Sam Vokes, Simon Church and Jonathan Williams for Joe Ledley, Hal Robson-Kanu and Collins.

Bale twice worked Rui Patricio with swerving efforts from range, but Portugal remained a threat, with Nani, Jose Fonte and Danilo all testing Hennessey.

By the end Wales's fire had burnt itself out, but their fans continued to sing as the seconds ticked away on their unforgettable French adventure.

It was the first time that Video Referee Assistant (VAR) technology was used in a World Cup final but controversial refereeing decsions ensured that a spectacle of the calibre of the final might have been marred by inconsistencies.

Argentine referee Nestor Pitana, who was also took charge of the first match played between Russia and Saudi Arabia was handed the duty to bring the curtain down on the showpiece event.

Both France’s opener and their second goal which handed them the lead in the second half were controversial in their own rights.

The first goal would follow after Antoine Griezmann was fouled outside the area. Griezmann looked to shimmy his way past Marcelo Brozovic, perhaps going down easily under the midfielder's attentions to set up a set piece in a very dangerous area. Replays looked unconvincing as Griezmann looked like he either accidentally tripped himself or went down against minimum contact.

VAR did not intervene due to the guidelines which suggests that it should only intervene in case of goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity. It was not a penalty or a red card incident so VAR did not intervene.

Controversy followed the actual scoring of the goal as well after Mario Mandzukic had scored the first ever own goal in a World Cup final. French midfielder Paul Pogba appeared to be in an offside position when Mandzukic headed into his own net.

The Croatia forward had jumped higher than Pogba and interfered with the play. Notably former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas had his say on the matter over twitter.

“Honestly, I do not understand the use of VAR very well,” Casillas wrote.

“The referee points to a foul that wasn’t on Griezmann and France’s goal comes from that action and nothing happens.”

Uruguay and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez agreed with the former Real Madrid goalkeeper and wrote: You are right Iker and Paul Pogba was offside when he ‘participates’ in the play.

While the controversies in the first goal may get overlooked, it was France’s second goal ten minutes before half-time which might have changed the tide of the match after Croatia had fought back with a equalizer from Ivan Perisic.

Blaise Matuidi went up for a near-post header, but missed the nod-on. Instead, the ball landed near the defending Perisic's arm, prompting wild gesticulations from French players, pleading for a handball. The ball went out of bounds and was originally ruled a goal kick for Croatia, but the officials decided to use the VAR to check the play.

The referee put his finger to his ear, and after what felt like an eternity, signalled that he would consult the VAR. Whether it was deliberate, or whether Perisic's hand was in an unnatural position was not clear, even after repeated viewing of the incident.

Even when he appeared to come to a decision, the referee quickly spun on the spot and returned to the screen for one quick look before awarding a penalty to France from which Griezmann scored.

It looked highly unlikely that it was a case of deliberate handball and might have even been a case of ball to hand.

Alan Shearer led the criticism of the refree while talking at the BBC studio, claiming Pitana’s decision-making had been “ridiculous” and that both pivotal decisions were, in his opinion, wrong.

“They’re losing this game to a free-kick that wasn’t a free-kick, and penalty that definitely wasn’t penalty,” Shearer said.

Jurgen Klinsmann agreed, while Rio Ferdinand added: “Two bad decisions have really turned this game on its head.”

It was the biggest game in the biggest showpiece event in the world. A game which should have been lit up by the footballing excellence of the participating teams. In a way, that probably was the case. France had the most talented squad in the tournament and they managed to showcase their abilities. However, football is a crazy game where moments can decide the outcome of a match and before the second France goal, Croatia were looking like the better side. Whatever the result, maybe controversies should not lead discussions in the aftermath of such an important game, which is what happened after the final.

Cristiano Ronaldo used his post-match interview following his goalscoring return against Osasuna on Saturday to hit back at former Barcelona midfielder Xavi's comments that he would never compare to Leo Messi.

Xavi said earlier this week: “Ronaldo is extraordinary but compared to Messi, there can be no comparisons. Messi will be number one until he wants to stop. He's superior to everyone."

Given, the chance, Cristiano didn't hold back in responding: “Everyone knows that if they want to get on the front page they have to speak about me. He [Xavi] doesn't have any Ballon d'Ors and I have three.”

He went on: “Why is Xavi relevant? He plays in Qatar or I don't know where. I'm the most searched-for sportsman on social media.”