Portugal 2-1 Republic of Ireland
All hail Cristiano Ronaldo. Already an undisputed great and now arguably the greatest footballer the world has ever seen after becoming the all-time leading scorer in international football history in Portugal’s recent World Cup 2022 qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland.
Certainly Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi all have legitimate claims to such accolade – some would argue the late George Best and Johan Cruyff do too.
Whatever your views, even if you feel some others have an equal or superior talent, I still must beg the question: has there ever been a better footballer on the planet in the history of the game?
If there has, I’ve not seen him in my lifetime.
Highlights of the game
All eyes were on record-breaking Ronaldo on the Algarve ahead of this World Cup qualifying encounter.
The one in which the recently returned Manchester United man was leading his side out against the Republic of Ireland, opponents who were set for a bit-part; a cameo role in the global football narrative.
The SBOTOP World Cup 2022 betting odds were so in favour of Portugal, playing in their first match since a Euro 2020 exit to Belgium, that it made you wonder how one-sided it could be against a team which had lost its first two qualifiers against Serbia and, embarrassingly, at home to Luxembourg.
A country whose manager Stephen Kenny’s only win from his 13 games in charge came in June with a 4-1 friendly victory over Andorra.
Surely, we all knew what was to follow?
There was no surprise that Ronaldo started, earning his 180th cap in the process to tie with former team-mate Sergio Ramos as the most-capped European international.
He captained a talent-rich Portuguese team that also featured Manchester United club team-mate Bruno Fernandes, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and Manchester City trio Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva.
For Eire, Southampton striker Shane Long missed out after testing positive for Covid-19.
St Mirren midfielder Jamie McGrath was handed his first Republic start while Aaron Connolly returned to the side to partner Adam Idah in attack.
Gavin Bazunu was retained in the Irish goal, behind a back three of Shane Duffy, John Egan and Dara O’Shea.
And so, what seemed the spark for a night of Portuguese World Cup 2022 highlights began in the opening quarter of an hour when Jeff Hendrick caught Fernandes in the box and, after a lengthy VAR check, a penalty was awarded.
As Ronaldo stepped up, bidding to become the all-time leading international goalscorer, surpassing Iran striker Ali Daei’s mark of 109, the world held its breath only for Bazunu – a goalkeeper i’d never heard of until tonight – to save the spot-kick.
That goal gave Ireland confidence and they had some half-chances over the next 20 minutes before Jota headed against a post.
The difference in strength between the nations was further highlighted when O’Shea had to leave the fray injured and was replaced by a teenager, Norwich’s 19-year-old Andrew Omobamidele.
However, on the stroke of half-time, a Connolly effort was charged down for a corner which was whipped into the danger zone by Jamie McGrath where it was met by Egan who glanced the ball into the far corner.
Ireland led with their first effort on target.
Into the second period and the desire and doggedness of the visitors deserved respect. Bazunu impressively kept out Silva who then skied his shot from no more than six yards when it seemed easier to score.
The pressure was growing but so was the home frustration.
Yet just when it seemed Ireland were going to pull off one of the biggest international shocks in years arrived THE moment the football world had expected.
There was only one minute remaining when CR7 produced a trademark leap and powerful header following a superb Goncalo Guedes cross.
Then, in the final seconds of extra-time a Joao Mario cross and you could only watch in awe at the power generated by Ronaldo.
At that point, the sympathy I had for the heroic Irish defensive display was almost as much as the admiration I had for the scorer.
Greatest of All Time?!
Key statistics
Ronaldo has scored his 110th and 111th goals for Portugal, with Republic of Ireland the 45th different nation he’s found the net against.
Ronaldo has netted 32 times in the final 15 minutes of international matches.
Ninety-one of his goals have been inside the box with 20 from outside. He has scored 14 penalties and nine free-kicks.
Lithuania and Sweden (seven each) are the sides against whom he has scored the most.
Ronaldo failed to score from the penalty spot for Portugal for the first time in his last seven attempts, since failing to convert against Iran at the 2018 World Cup.
Egan scored his first-ever goal for the Republic of Ireland with just his second shot on target in his 15th international appearance.
What’s next?
World Cup qualifying continues apace now for both nations in a really congested period making up for lost time caused by the Covid pandemic. Portugal are in Qatar to play the next World Cup hosts on Saturday teatime, albeit in a friendly, before meeting Azerbaijan in a qualifier next Tuesday (September 7) again at teatime.
As for Ireland, they play Azerbaijan in qualifying on Saturday teatime before hosting Serbia next Tuesday evening.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
