“It’s a disappointment. We did good things, but then we alternated with less good things. But it could be a warning. It could be a warning…” This is how Fernando Santos reacted to Portugal’s defeat against South Korea (1-2), on matchday three of the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.
The team, coached by Paulo Bento, responded to the early Portuguese goal with a historic turnaround. How was it possible? How was it possible? Was it a matter of attitude, overconfidence, player substitutions, was it the opponent…? “It was a little bit of all that. It was the sum of these things. All, without excluding anything, resulted in a less positive game”replied the selector, promoting several world premieres.
Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted and caught uttering a phrase that can be interpreted in several ways: “You’re in a fucking hurry to get me out, f***.” Eventually, Santos revealed that the captain’s verbal dissatisfaction was directed at a South Korean. “Ronaldo left angry at the South Korean player who sent him off, I think everyone saw that. Pepe then even went after the Korean because he insulted Ronaldo to make him leave. He had to respond to that player,” said the coach , making sure the captain “understood” the substitution: “Why shouldn’t I understand?”
An idea also shared by Ricardo Horta, who debuted in worlds. “He finally leaves dissatisfied after a reaction from a player from South Korea, nothing related to the group. He is happy and with a goal in mind, he is focused,” the Sp. Braga, “no preferences” regarding Portugal’s round of 16 opponent, who will leave Group G.
“Our goal is to win this World Cup”
António Silva made history by becoming the youngest-ever Portuguese player to make his World Cup debut. 🇧🇷The important thing was not the debut of António or any other player, it was Portugal’s defeat. We want to send the message that we go into the round of 16 with the greatest possible ambition, because our goal is to win this World Cup,” said the 19-year-old central defender.
Diogo Dalot was in the starting line-up in his first match at a World Cup. “It would have been better if we had won. We knew it was going to be complicated, South Korea fought to get through. We came in really well, with determination and aggression. Then we lowered the pace and Korea got more motivation. We could have controlled better, but it’s good to learn. Now focus on Tuesday’s game,” the right-back told Sport TV, emphasizing that Portugal has achieved its goal of going first.
Vitinha also debuted and fulfilled “a childhood dream”. “I want more, we want more. But I leave with a bitter feeling of defeat and I will always be scarred by that,” the midfielder confessed, leaving an appeal to fans: “The Portuguese know very well what we are working for and they should never doubt our ability or our quality to go far and win this World Cup🇧🇷
“Did I take the spot? I went out on the field and did my best and focused on what I had to do to help the team. Whether I have continuity or not, it’s up to the coach.”
Portugal finished Group H of the 2022 World Cup in first place (7 points), followed by South Korea (4 points). Uruguay (four points) and Ghana (four points), third and fourth respectively, were eliminated.
Source: DN
