Euro 2012’s "Group of Death" was always going to claim one high profile victim – and many felt it would be Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. For two games, that assessment looked spot on as the Real Madrid man huffed and puffed, earning criticism not plaudits.
But his two-goal masterclass against Holland on Sunday ensured it was the Dutch who had to pack their bags and, in the process, put Portugal back among the Euro 2012 contenders in what is increasingly becoming a wide open tournament.
Suddenly, with an engaged, revived Ronaldo in their ranks, the Portuguese are red hot favourites to win their quarter-final clash against the Czech Republic on Thursday. Win that and Portugal would be one more victory from the final. The mood has changed considerably in the space of a few days – most visibly for Ronaldo, who at times had looked disinterested and alienated from the rest of the team earlier in the tournament. It is amazing what a goal can do for a player’s morale and body language.
"We have succeeded in our great aim, which was to qualify for the quarter-finals,” he explained after the win. "Now we have to play against the Czech Republic, which is going to be hard, but we’ll do our best."
Despite Ronaldo’s heroics under compatriot Jose Mourinho’s watchful eye in La Liga last season, the Portugal national team have been flying under the radar lately. A disappointing qualifying campaign kept expectations low and fostered a sense that this is a one-man show destined for failure, particularly after the nightmare group stage draw. Few felt they could make an impact to match Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.
This tournament has already proved otherwise, with others stepping into the spotlight. Francisco Varela was the hero in the 3-2 win over Denmark while Fabio Coentrao looks a class act at left back and the work-rate in midfield is admirable. His team-mates are more than just a supporting cast, a fact that coach Paulo Bento was quick to stress at the weekend when he stopped short of lavishing his talisman with praise.
However, this remains Ronaldo’s team – and Portugal will only go as far as he can take them, as a captain, a goalscorer and a creator. The good news is that he has found his shooting boots and has a spring back in his step. Holland are not renowned for their defensive steel but he ripped through the Dutch in mesmerising fashion nonetheless.
Given the scrutiny he was facing heading into the weekend, it is just as well that the 27-year-old is no stranger to criticism and controversy. In many ways, he seems to thrive off it – think of his 2006/07 Premier League campaign for Manchester United after his part in club team-mate Wayne Rooney’s red card at the 2006 World Cup.
After the narrow victory over Denmark, he had to sit through three days of negative media coverage before he could make amends and make his point. Anyone who has watched Ronaldo throughout his career had an inkling about what was coming on Sunday – he has too much pride, too much talent and too much will to win not to hit back under those circumstances. Now, he must continue that electric play on the counter attack – after all, few teams can match the pace and movement of Ronaldo and Nani.
Portugal must also be careful not to get too far ahead of themselves, though. Are they better equipped than Spain or Germany to power through the knockout rounds? Definitely not. But if their defence can hold firm, Ronaldo always gives them a puncher’s chance in a one-off game, even potentially in a daunting semi-final with neighbours Spain, who topped Group C.
So much of big tournaments comes down to momentum – who peaks at the right time, who has the most belief when it matters and who makes their chances count. Portugal might just be that team this summer. If Ronaldo can recreate the demolition of the Dutch, Euro 2012 might yet see a surprise finalist, rather than the Spain-Germany showdown that so many have predicted.
