Cristiano Ronaldo changes shirt at half-time from long sleeve to short but it doesn’t do trick as Portugal crash out
CRISTIANO RONALDO made the odd move to change his shirt at half-time against Belgium.
The Juventus star switched from long to short sleeves – but it made no difference as defending champions Portugal crashed out of Euro 2020 after a 1-0 defeat.
Ronaldo came closest to scoring for his team in the first half but his free-kick was well saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Thorgan Hazard then scored a brilliant long-range effort just before the break to put Belgium in front.
And with the Red Devils on top of proceedings CR7 clearly felt a change was needed, particularly as he may have been feeling the heat in Seville.
Unfortunately for him and his team-mates the change of clothing did not do the trick – and that free-kick would turn out to be his best opportunity.
Portugal certainly improved after half-time and came close to equalising, with Raphael Guerreiro striking the post.
But Ronaldo and Portugal could not find a way past Courtois and it was Belgium who progressed to the quarter-final.
That would have come as a surprise to fans, as many felt Ronaldo meant business by changing shirts, and was likely to add to his five tournament goals – and break the all-time international goal record.
One fan wrote on social media: “Ronaldo don change shirt. 2nd half Hattrick incoming. I suiiii in advance.”
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Another added in similar vein: “Ronaldo change shirt….brace loading.”
One supporter also expected more from CR7 with this analogy: “Ronaldo switching to a short sleeved shirt is the equivalent of sitting forward in your seat during a game of fifa.”
Ronaldo’s failure to find an equaliser could mean the Belgium match is the last time we will see him wear a Portugal shirt of any kind at the Euros.
And he looked enraged after the final whistle, where he was seen throwing his captain’s armband on the floor.
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