Portugal can overcome letdown after FIFA World Cup qualifying loss: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo desires Portugal to rebound shortly after the gorgeous loss that stored the workforce from securing a spot at subsequent yr’s World Cup.
Playing at dwelling and needing solely a draw to clinch a berth within the match in Qatar, Portugal conceded within the ninetieth minute in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Serbia and was relegated to a playoff that can be held subsequent yr with 11 different nations.
“Football has shown us time and time again that sometimes the most difficult paths are the ones that lead us to the most desired outcomes,” Ronaldo stated on Instagram on Monday.
The 36-year-old veteran may very well be dealing with his final World Cup after making 4 straight appearances within the match since 2006.
“Yesterday’s result was tough, but not tough enough to get us down,” he stated. “The aim of being within the 2022 World Cup remains to be very a lot alive and we all know what we now have to do to get there.
“No excuses,” he stated. “Portugal on its way to Qatar.”
Portugal regarded good at the beginning of the sport in opposition to Serbia on the Stadium of Light in Lisbon, scoring after two minutes with Renato Sanches. But it struggled afterward, permitting the guests to equalize via Dusan Tadic within the thirty third and seeing substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic rating the winner ultimately.
Ronaldo was upset after the late aim, complaining and yelling at his teammates from midfield as he waited for play to renew. After the ultimate whistle, he sat on the sphere by himself, shaking his head and searching desolate. Some teammates and opponents came visiting to console him.
Veteran goalkeeper Rui Patrício was being blamed for a blunder on the primary aim, when he couldn’t maintain on to the ball after Tadic’s shot deflected off a Portugal defender.
Coach Fernando Santos was beneath stress as nicely, and listening to some requires his resignation again dwelling.
“I’m sad and frustrated but I still have confidence in myself and in my players,” Santos stated. “The last results were negative but there is no reason we shouldn’t have faith in ourselves.”
Portugal was coming off a draw at already eradicated Ireland. It entered the ultimate spherical degree on factors with Serbia after seven matches however had the benefit of having the ability to qualify with a draw due to a greater aim distinction.
“Miserable” and “World shame” had been a number of the headlines in Portuguese newspaper on Monday.
Portugal must face the playoffs with the opposite 9 group runners-up and two group winners from the UEFA Nations League. The 12 nations will play subsequent March in three four-team brackets, with the seeded groups getting a house recreation within the bracket semifinals.
Portugal has performed in each World Cup since 2002 after failing to make it to the match from 1990-1998. It was eradicated by Uruguay within the spherical of 16 of the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
Serbia had already rallied from two targets right down to earn a 2-2 draw with Portugal of their qualifier in March.