Cavani outshines Ronaldo as Portugal crash out

Portugal’s dream of winning a first ever World Cup came to an end on Saturday after an Edinson Cavani-inspired Uruguay beat them in the last 16.

Drawn in a group alongside Spain, Morocco and Iran, Portugal headed into the World Cup as favorites to progress from their group and compete in the later stages of the competition. They made hard work of advancing, though, recording draws with Spain and Iran either side of a narrow victory over Morocco. Four points from three matches saw them end second in their group and advance to the round of 16.

There they were pegged against unfamiliar opposition in the form of Uruguay, who they had never before faced in a major international tournament. Uruguay had been far more convincing in the group stages where they recorded three wins from three without conceding a single goal. Portugal went into the match with a higher FIFA ranking but were slight outsiders against their South American opponents.

The main theme ahead of the encounter, and indeed much of the tournament, was whether or not Cristiano Ronaldo could finally end the debate and confirm himself as the greatest player of all time by leading his nation to World Cup glory. With career rival Lionel Messi’s Argentina having crashed out of the tournament earlier in the day he had the perfect opportunity to do just that.

The moment was not to be his, though. Instead it was time for another to stand up and make his mark. Edinson Cavani was the man who rose to the occasion, scoring twice either side of a goal from Pepe to secure the win for Uruguay. Cavani, who has so often been overshadowed by the strikers around him for both club and country, re-announced himself to the world with a top class performance that may well have ended Ronaldo’s World Cup dream.

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Cavani’s goals and Portugal’s resultant exit may well have spelled Ronaldo’s last chance at claiming soccer’s most coveted trophy. Aged 33, and with the next World Cup only taking place in 2022, his chances of featuring at another finals seem slim. There is no doubt that he possesses the athleticism and fitness to continue playing at a high level for the next four years but it remains to be seen whether he will still be available for selection.

Ronaldo is approaching the age where many stars have retired from international soccer in attempt to prolong their club career. He may feel that he has given all he can give for his country and call a day in order to make the most of his final years at Real Madrid and prepare for any lucrative prospects that may follow after thereafter.

The World Cup in Russia may well have been the last time for a while in which Portugal had a shot at winning silverware too, albeit an outside one. The nation’s most successful era has coincided with the time of Ronaldo and there is little suggestion that they have prepared for life without him. How could they after all? The nation’s all-time record goalscorer and appearance holder is a once in a lifetime player and one whose shoes will not be filled for a long time.

Ronaldo represented Portugal’s best chance at winning a World Cup and the failure to do so will leave a painful scar for both player and country. The disappointment should not detract from the history they have made together, though. Ronaldo has helped Portugal qualify for the last four editions of the World Cup, with the nation having only qualified twice in the 32 years prior, and captained the nation to its first every title at Euro 2016. He might not have secured his status as the world’s greatest player but there is no doubt that Portugal have never had another like him.