He had promised it would not end like this. But in the 91st minute at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, as Mikel Merino swept the ball into the net to send Spain into the quarter-finals, Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup was over. The greatest international goalscorer in history walked off the pitch in tears.
Portugal were eliminated 1-0 by Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday in a cagey, tense Iberian Derby that was decided by a single moment of brilliance in stoppage time. Rodri’s pass found Ferran Torres, who took a half turn and slid in Mikel Merino to settle a contest that had threatened to go to extra time. It was cruel, it was late, and it was final. Spain advances to the quarter-finals to face Belgium.
Ronaldo had seen it coming.
“This will be my last World Cup, but let’s hope tomorrow isn’t my last game,”
the star said at his pre-match press conference on Sunday. He paused before adding:
“Whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano will leave with a clear conscience—not 100%, but 1000%. Because I’ve given everything in football.”
He gave everything on Monday, too. It just was not enough. He stung the palms of Unai Simón from a tight angle in the first half, the closest Portugal came before Nuno Mendes’ deflected drive rattled the crossbar. Spain had their own chances. Mikel Oyarzabal spurned a golden opportunity early on, dragging his shot wide when clean through on goal. The match never truly caught fire, but the ending was breathtaking.
An emotional Ronaldo had tears in his eyes as he walked around the pitch at full-time, applauding the 70,649 Portuguese fans who had roared him on. Lamine Yamal, born the year after Ronaldo’s first World Cup, came to embrace him on the pitch in a moment that needed no words. The baton was passed in silence on the Dallas turf.
It was a tournament that had begun with history. In Portugal’s second group match against Uzbekistan, Ronaldo scored twice in a 5-0 demolition, becoming the first player in history, male or female, to score in six different World Cups. At 41, he became the second-oldest men’s player ever to score at a World Cup, behind only Roger Milla. He finished the tournament with three goals.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez resigned immediately after the match. His time in charge ended with a Round of 16 exit and questions about whether Portugal’s over-reliance on their captain cost them in the biggest moments.
Well, some stories do not end with the fairy tale. But few stories have ever been told with such relentless, extraordinary passion.
