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Messi's chance to shine,as his side are playing their first game,against Iceland.
SOCHI (Reuters) - Spain defender Gerard Pique accused Cristiano Ronaldo of diving to win a penalty and a crucial free-kick in Friday’s epic 3-3 draw with Portugal and praised his side for battling back after a chaotic week in which coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked.
Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Portugal vs Spain - Fisht Stadium, Sochi, Russia - June 15, 2018 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in action with Spain's Gerard Pique REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Ronaldo struck the first goal of his memorable hat-trick to put Portugal ahead in the fourth minute after going down in the area from a challenge from Nacho. He later converted an exquisite late free-kick to level the thrilling encounter after winning a foul following a tussle with Barcelona’s Pique.
“Cristiano is very prone to diving and they award him almost every foul,” Pique told reporters after the extraordinary spectacle in Sochi between the two heavyweights which set the World Cup alight.
“We picked ourselves up again after a lot of problems because starting a World Cup by conceding a penalty in the second minute and going behind is difficult but we scored three goals and we have to be happy with how the game went.”
Spain’s ability to come back in the game after Ronaldo’s first two goals was all the more impressive given the turmoil that had gripped the team after Lopetegui was sacked on Wednesday for negotiating a move to Real Madrid behind the back of Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales.
Pique, who is famous for his open disliking for Barca’s arch-rivals Madrid, said now was not the time to analyse whether it was right or wrong to dismiss Lopetegui but hinted he disagreed with his former coach’s methods in the negotiations.
“We all have to pull together now, it’s a situation that no-one has enjoyed but the World Cup has started, and when it’s over that’s when we can tell the story, we need to speak as little as possible and focus on football,” Pique said.
“The fact he negotiated with Madrid doesn’t bother me, a huge club came for him, the way he did it is up for debate. There are thousands of opinions, the president didn’t like it and took his decision and the players have accepted it.”
Spain striker Diego Costa produced an explosive performance and pledged to “keep working and keep on shutting people up” after his two goals answered critics who believe he does not fit into the team’s style of play.
The Atletico Madrid forward also declared his admiration for Ronaldo after the Portuguese upstaged his two goals with his whirlwind hat-trick.
“There will always be a debate, that’s good as it means there is competition in the team,” Costa said.
“I have to congratulate Cristiano, they criticise him and just look at what he does. People would be better off leaving him alone. I wish I was like him.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-...-to-diving-after-thrilling-draw-idUKKBN1JC09T
SOCHI (Reuters) - Spain defender Gerard Pique accused Cristiano Ronaldo of diving to win a penalty and a crucial free-kick in Friday’s epic 3-3 draw with Portugal and praised his side for battling back after a chaotic week in which coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked.
Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Portugal vs Spain - Fisht Stadium, Sochi, Russia - June 15, 2018 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in action with Spain's Gerard Pique REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Ronaldo struck the first goal of his memorable hat-trick to put Portugal ahead in the fourth minute after going down in the area from a challenge from Nacho. He later converted an exquisite late free-kick to level the thrilling encounter after winning a foul following a tussle with Barcelona’s Pique.
“Cristiano is very prone to diving and they award him almost every foul,” Pique told reporters after the extraordinary spectacle in Sochi between the two heavyweights which set the World Cup alight.
“We picked ourselves up again after a lot of problems because starting a World Cup by conceding a penalty in the second minute and going behind is difficult but we scored three goals and we have to be happy with how the game went.”
Spain’s ability to come back in the game after Ronaldo’s first two goals was all the more impressive given the turmoil that had gripped the team after Lopetegui was sacked on Wednesday for negotiating a move to Real Madrid behind the back of Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales.
Pique, who is famous for his open disliking for Barca’s arch-rivals Madrid, said now was not the time to analyse whether it was right or wrong to dismiss Lopetegui but hinted he disagreed with his former coach’s methods in the negotiations.
“We all have to pull together now, it’s a situation that no-one has enjoyed but the World Cup has started, and when it’s over that’s when we can tell the story, we need to speak as little as possible and focus on football,” Pique said.
“The fact he negotiated with Madrid doesn’t bother me, a huge club came for him, the way he did it is up for debate. There are thousands of opinions, the president didn’t like it and took his decision and the players have accepted it.”
Spain striker Diego Costa produced an explosive performance and pledged to “keep working and keep on shutting people up” after his two goals answered critics who believe he does not fit into the team’s style of play.
The Atletico Madrid forward also declared his admiration for Ronaldo after the Portuguese upstaged his two goals with his whirlwind hat-trick.
“There will always be a debate, that’s good as it means there is competition in the team,” Costa said.
“I have to congratulate Cristiano, they criticise him and just look at what he does. People would be better off leaving him alone. I wish I was like him.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-...-to-diving-after-thrilling-draw-idUKKBN1JC09T
Hat trick for Ronaldo. Over to you Messi
CR7 all the way so far.
Most likely, he'll be out next game. Fingers crossed, Iran seems to be a better squad and their managers knows CR better than anyone.
Won't be surprised if Iran wins it 2-1.
To be honest Ronaldo's destroyed Messi in last few years as far as playing for the country is concerned. I wish it was close but i hate to admit it's not. Messi seems to have given up. Looks lost and frustrated. Zero presence in both matches so far.
Iran played much better in the second game, however 2-1 would be quite a stretch but this WC has had a lot of upsets so far. If only Daeei was still playing.
Sardar Azmaoun will break his record. These days average scores have reduced, also most Asian teams have improved considerably, hence like Ali, this kid can't get a dozen every WC/Asia cup qualifier against BD, IND, Thailand .... but he has 23 goals so far in 35 games; starts for Rubin Kazan as No. 9 and he'll end up in top 5 leagues by next year.
What Iran is missing a CM like Karim Bagheri. He scored over 50 goals for Iran as No. 6!!!
To be honest Ronaldo's destroyed Messi in last few years as far as playing for the country is concerned. I wish it was close but i hate to admit it's not. Messi seems to have given up. Looks lost and frustrated. Zero presence in both matches so far.
This is a poor Arges team and Croats knew that - they double marked him leaving space for other, who couldn't take the advantage. Today he was playing as mid-fielder, for which that coach guy should be sacked immediately. He didn't start Banega, Biglia, Pavon or De Maria; and left out Pastore at home.
I get under the skin of Messi fanatics, because they deny everything; but guy is a genius, really feeling sorry for him today. Also, Messi fans will completely ignore that in last 2 games, other 2 No. 10s (Sigurdsson & Mordic), kept him in pocket. If Croatia wins this WC, Luka Mordic will reach the status of Mathaus, Zidane, Pirlo, Iniesta, Muller, Dunga .....
If my life is at stake and I've to choose one of these players, I'll always choose Ronaldo over Messi, always. In a similar way, I'll choose McGrath over Akram. 'Magic' or 'genius' doesn't cut it.
However as per law of averages, Messi is bound to perform in the next game. Nigeria saved Argentina's skin.
Don’t overdo this.
Ronaldo had not converted a free kick in a gazillion attempts before the last one that made people do all crazy.
He got a lucky penalty and De Gea gifted him a goal.
In short 2 lucky goals, two spectacular goals none of which that Messi has not done for his country.
If only Messi hadn’t missed his chance to score a penalty.Not so lucky after all
Messi is poor at penalties as is evident by his recent record. Missed half of his last 10 penalties.
Having said that Ronaldo's cheergirls need to calm down. He converted his 40th something freekick for Portugal recently he's been that bad.
ohh the messi whiners come out. Messi bottled it in the last WC, the stage was set and he had the golden opportunity to take it but let it go, now he seems finished at international level.
Ronaldo on the other hand is dragging 10 team mates on his back at 33 years of age, unlike Messi whos given up at only 30 years of age, Ronaldo is playing his heart out. Give the guy some credit.
That stat is from major tournaments overall, not great but it's a lot harder to convert them compared to penalties for example never mind ones vs Iceland and this WC for CR7 thus far has been decent in contrast so it makes little sense to use this oppourtunity to berate him, Messi deserves criticism though.
Take the 4 goals IN 2 games away and Ronaldo is about as poor as Messi accross world cups. There is no doubt last year or two he's taken his legacy to the next level by finally delivering for Portugal. There's nothing to suggest Messi can't put one over him though. He's a great player. They both are. Don't see the point in trashing one at the expense of the other. The ball's well and truly in Messi's court and i don't doubt his ability to put it right back, no one does deep down.