The evening of qualifying for the World Cup was not simply an extraordinary match for Portugal, however moderately it was a second that exposed the options of the brand new chief inside a staff stuffed with stars. Whereas Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from the scene after being despatched off towards Eire, midfielder Bruno Fernandes appeared, who carried the badge and shouldered the duty to guide Portugal to a sweeping victory over Armenia with a rating of 9-1.
Dedicated participant
This was Ronaldo’s first purple card for Portugal in his 226th match, a file in worldwide males’s soccer, and he was despatched off 13 occasions at membership degree.
true assumption
Portugal at the moment has the sixth costliest squad on the planet, and the match towards Armenia confirmed the sheer abundance of attacking expertise. Though Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves scored three objectives, the star of the present was Fernandes, who managed to attain a hat-trick with an help.
Dangerous, helpful
– Ronaldo’s suspension revived the previous debate about whether or not coach Roberto Martinez’s squad reveals larger offensive cohesion with out Portugal’s all-time high scorer, because the problem arises within the gamers’ tendency to at all times “look” for him whereas launching assaults, which drains a variety of focus, which modifications along with his absence.
Making historical past
Fernandes, 31 years previous, benefited from assuming the duties of taking penalty kicks within the match, as he scored two objectives from the penalty spot, elevating his tally to twenty-eight objectives along with his nation, which pushed him to occupy sixth place on the record of all-time scorers for Portugal.
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Portugal’s most prolific participant of all time
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Rating
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Participant
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Matches
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Aims
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Ronaldo
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226
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143
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2
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Paulita
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87
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47
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3
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Eusebio
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64
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42
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4
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Figo
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127
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32
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5
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Nuno Gomesh
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79
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29
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6
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Fernandez
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85
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28
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7
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Postiga
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70
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27
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8
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R. Costa
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94
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26
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9
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grandma
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111
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24
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10
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nanny
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65
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22
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Affect drive
Gonzalo Tristao Santos, a Portuguese soccer knowledgeable, mentioned: “It’s straightforward to note his affect on the sphere: we’re speaking a few midfielder who, in 85 worldwide matches for Portugal, already has 28 objectives and 24 assists. It’s unimaginable to think about a beginning lineup for Portugal with out him.”
The artwork of taking part in
Fernandes is called one of the vital inventive gamers within the sport, as he made 37 scoring contributions (objectives and assists) within the final 40 matches he performed along with his nation’s nationwide staff, a fee that highlights his worth as a high-class playmaker.
Further proof
The attacking midfielder is taken into account the primary pillar on which this era of the Portuguese nationwide staff relies upon, and the staff’s sudden loss to Eire was additional proof of his significance, as he missed that match.
Market worth
Fernandes’ present market worth is 45 million euros ($52 million) at Manchester United, a pointy decline from its peak of 90 million euros in 2021. He’s ranked first amongst gamers born in 1994, No. 122 on the planet, and 59 within the English Premier League.
Uncertainty
– At a time when Ronaldo could miss the beginning kick within the World Cup, and maybe from multiple match relying on FIFA’s choice concerning his punishment, the query stays as as to if Martinez has the braveness to maintain him out of the squad upon his return.
The way forward for the staff
– With Fernandez reserving his seat as a result of his position will not be negotiable, the query arises: Are we witnessing the second of the decline of a star that has at all times crammed the nationwide staff’s sky with brightness, with one other sparkle rising on the horizon making ready to guide the stage?
Sources: Figures – Transfermarkt – ESPN
