After Serbia loss denies Portugal direct entry into World Cup, CR7 wants team to rebound

Lisbon, November 15

Cristiano Ronaldo wants Portugal to rebound quickly after the stunning loss that kept the team from securing a spot at next year’s World Cup.

Playing at home and needing only a draw to clinch a berth in the tournament in Qatar, Portugal conceded in the 90th minute in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Serbia and were relegated to a playoff that will be held next year with 11 other 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 said on Instagram today.

The 36-year-old veteran could be facing his

last World Cup after making four straight appearances in the tournament since 2006.

“Yesterday’s result was tough, but not tough enough to get us down,” he said. “The goal of being in the 2022 World Cup is still very much alive and we know what we have to do to get there. No excuses…Portugal on its way to Qatar.”

Portugal looked good at the start of the game at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon, scoring after two minutes with Renato Sanches. But they struggled afterward, allowing the visitors to equalise through Dusan Tadic in the 33rd and seeing substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic score the winner in the end.

Ronaldo was upset after the late goal, complaining and yelling at his teammates from midfield as he waited for play to resume. After the final whistle, he sat on the field by himself, shaking his head and looking desolate. Some teammates and opponents came over to console him. — AP