Euro 2016 - Cristiano Roanldo is just one small step away from glory

In the first half, Wales looked dangerous whenever Gareth Bale had the ball at his feet. It seemed to me, he was roaming like a free bird on the pitch of Lyon. He created spaces and never stepped back to utilize the opportunities whenever it was available, but as the match progressed, Bale started to fade from the scene and his Real Madrid teammate made the night of his own. Tournaments like the Euro and FIFA World Cup need a hero to become a part of football’s folklore and at the moment it seems, CR7 is the hero which this year’s Euro needed.

Portugal have been like the Italy of World Cup 1982 who were criticized harshly and more often sliced by the local press mercilessly, but in just one magical week, their colour started to change and to the astonishment of everyone, they lifted the trophy. Paolo Rossi, the villain at the start of the tournament and during the group stages, turned out to be the hero for Italy. How familiar is Portugal’s story with that of Rossi’s Italy remains a matter of interest for me: Italy beat Poland, an opponent who were favorites in the semifinal in 1982, 2-0 thanks to a double strike by Rossi after a dull first half and similarly, Portugal beat Wales 2-0 led by a Cristiano Ronaldo opener.  

CR7 rediscovered his flair in the second half. In the 50^th minute, he leaped imperiously to head the opener and Michel Platini's record of nine goals at the European Championships. Ronaldo is also the first player to find the net in four different European Championships and has played 20 games at the tournament - the most of any player in history. Portugal are back on song and the passage of play saw Nani to net the second goal which lifted the spirit of Roanldo and his team and the discontentment around him ebbed away like Rossi when he found the net again Brazil at Seville within five minutes of the first half. He could have scored another goal had his freekick not missed the goal narrowly.

CR7 is back on song, which was much needed for his team and extremely needed for this tournament.

Portugal were a different side in the second half, but they need to thank their lucky star as two of Wales’ main men were absent due to suspension and like I said earlier, Wales missed them dearly. It’s hard to imagine a team’s momentum without the presence of Aaron Ramsey. In fact, Ramsey has been critical behind the maintenance of Bale’s rhythm throughout the tournament. When Wales needed to bounce back, someone like Ramsey would have provided the much needed fuel to advance forward for the kill. But it was not to be. Portugal had an answer for Pepe’s absence in Bruno Alves, but Wales didn’t have that for the absence of Ramsey.

Like Iceland, Wales would be regarded as the romantic heroes of this year’s Euro. They provided us enough entertainment and, I think, there is no disgrace in losing against a team who were better than them in the second half.     

But at the moment, it’s time for CR7 to dream for the ultimate glory for which he has been waiting for. The dream of lifting a trophy for his country is just one stroke away.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar