One of the more interesting Ronaldo stories after Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan wasn’t actually about either of his goals — it was about the role he played in Nuno Mendes’ goal.
Replays and tactical breakdowns after the match focused on Ronaldo’s movement inside the box, where his run dragged defenders away and helped create the space that Mendes attacked.
That moment has started a fresh conversation around Ronaldo’s role in this Portugal side. A lot of the criticism after the DR Congo game was about whether he still offers enough outside of finishing chances, but this match gave Portugal supporters a different clip to point to — Ronaldo affecting the game without even touching the ball.
It doesn’t change the fact that his brace will dominate the headlines, but it does add another angle to the discussion around how Portugal are using him at this World Cup.
