By Ori Martins
It was almost a goal for anti -Cristiano Ronaldo’s elements during the Portugal, Slovenia round of 16 encounter in the Germany 2024 European Championship.
In the extra time, Ronaldo missed what would have sent Portugal into the quarter finals. He wept. He cried. He lamented. He was, however, consoled by his teammates. But the deed had been done and the excruciating encounter was dragged to penalty shootout.
Diego Costa saved three straight penalties, while Ronaldo gallantly and courageously opened scoring for his country. His two other compatriots registered their kicks beautifully and Portugal won, 3- 0.
There are striking similarities between Maradona’s Italia ’90 World Cup exploits and Ronaldo’s UEFA EURO 2024 journey, so far. In 1990, not well ranked Cameroon defeated Maradona’s Argentina 1- 0 in the opening group game. In 2024, unpopular Georgia punished Ronaldo’s Portugal 2- 0 on the last day of the group matches.
Maradona missed a penalty during the epic quarter final game against the now unraveled Yugoslavia in 1990 and it almost sent Argentina back home, just as Ronaldo’s penalty miss versus Slovakia in 2024 almost cost Portugal the quarter final ticket.
In both instances the goalkeepers’ heroics saved it for their respective countries. For instance, Sergio Goycochea was brilliant and calculating after Maradona and his other teammates threwaway thier kicks against Yugoslavia in Italia ’90 World Cup Finals. On the hand, in Germany 2024 UEFA EURO, Diego Costa provided succour for the EURO 2016 champions as his three super saves calibrated his side to the quarter finals.
You see, in 1990, the entire Argentina team was lethargic, just as Maradona himself was uninspiring – even after flushing out Brazil in the second round. And in 2024, Portugal has just been protruding, while Ronaldo’s most beautiful performance was his classic assist in the dismissal of Czech Republic. Ronaldo’s fans standing akimbo.
Yet, the same way tired Maradona led a wobbling South American side to the World Cup final in 1990, so also unimpressive Ronaldo may eventually inspire a chaotic West European to the final of the 2024 European Championship.
This is so because, whenever you see a wobbling team doing a quick or delayed return from amnesia or being rescued from the brinks, you must be wary of such a side. Remember Cote d’ivoire in the last AFCON. What of Italy in USA ’94? And the worst team to have qualified to the final of the World Cup was Argentina in 1990! Have you observed that England is also fumbling but flourishing, advancing gloriously? That is football.
As for those condemning Ronaldo on account of his penalty miss, they must understand it is the way of celebrated stars of the game.
Messi missed against Saudi Arabia in the last World Cup. Maradona could not convert his against Yugoslavia. Zico failed to score against France in 1986 in Mexico. And Platini wept after failing to score in the penalty shootout against Germany. And, I am sure, that was what ended his international career. But Ronaldo soldiers on.
Is it going to be a European Championship of of strugglers? The world is keeping virgil!
