Ronaldo relishes ‘beautiful moment’ with new World Cup record

“It’s a beautiful moment in my fifth World Cup,” Ronaldo told reporters. “We won. We started on a good foot. It’s a very important win. We know in these competitions the first match is fundamental.

“It’s another record too,” he said. “That makes me very proud. I am very happy for the team to have put on excellent performance. It was difficult but we deserved to win.”

Asked about his acrimonious departure from Manchester United this week, Ronaldo said the only thing that counted was Portugal’s win. “All the rest, it doesn’t matter,” he added.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos hailed his 37 year-old captain who won a second-half penalty and converted it himself to open the scoring against Ghana.

“I think Cristiano is a phenomenon, a legend,” Santos told reporters. “In 50 years time, we will still be talking about him.”

Ronaldo was substituted in the 88th minute to a rousing reception around Stadium 974 in Doha at the start of what is likely to be his last World Cup.

Santos rebuffed suggestions by his Ghanaian opposite number Otto Addo that the penalty decision was incorrect – given for a shove by defender Mohammed Salisu – and should have been reviewed by U.S. referee Ismail Elfath via the VAR system.

“If the VAR tells the referee that he has to have a look, he will have a look,” he said. “If the VAR didn’t call over the referee it’s because they watched the images and there was nothing to see.”

Santos, in charge of Portugal since 2014 and who led them to the 2016 European Championship title, said the game had its “highs and lows” for Portugal and he was unhappy about conceding two goals.

“Now we have to look and see what happened with the players and respond to it,” he said.

Portugal, who top Group H, face Uruguay – who drew 0-0 with South Korea on Thursday – in their next match on Monday.

The post Ronaldo relishes ‘beautiful moment’ with new World Cup record appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.

View more from VietExplorer:

Mao Luong flowers do brisk trade in buildup to International Women’s Day
Inside Quang Ninh Centre for ASEAN+3 Song Contest
Hanoi hosts activities to mark its Liberation Day
Ba Dinh Square hosts flag raising ceremony to commemorate National Day
Sleepless night following Vietnam victory in men’s football at SEA Games
Foreign tourists flock to view Tan Dinh Church in HCM City
Crowds flock to Nhat Tan flower village as Tet draws near
Hanoi receives decorative makeover to celebrate Party’s founding anniversary
Changing of seasons marks poetic period for Hanoi
Le Bich’s photos are reminiscent of Hanoi
Exploring camellia flowers in Binh Lieu
Discovering Bau Ca Cai mangrove forest in Quang Ngai
Discovering wild peach blossoms of Mu Cang Chai
Hanoi authorities spray schools with disinfectant to combat nCoV infection
Three Vietnamese images listed among 50 most stunning nature photos
Egyptian artist May Mohab and her passion for Vietnamese water puppets
Vietnam inspires French filmakers
Motherhood goddess worshipping ritual of Red Dao
Irish contributor to Vietnam’s ethnic minority communities
Muong Vang ethnic people’s offering tray dedicated to ancestors