While the whole world thinks France will win, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo believes Spain will reach the World Cup final – after they knocked out his Portugal in the last eight.
Ronaldo hoped to finally win the World Cup in his sixth and final championship, but was left in tears after Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain.
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Portugal only finished second in Group K after failing to beat DR Congo and Colombia, but they managed to progress from a tough last eight against Croatia.
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Their clash with arch-rivals Spain looked to be heading towards extra time – until Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino popped up and scored in injury time to send the European champions through.
When asked about his international career after Portugal’s exit, Ronaldo said he was cautious about making “decisions in the heat of battle”, but he confirmed that this was his last World Cup match.
Speaking more generally about Portugal’s World Cup efforts, Ronaldo said that “we could have done better”, but stressed that they were knocked out by a team destined to reach the final – “or at least come close”.
Just like Portugal, Spain also disappointed in the group stage – before crushing Austria and winning a close encounter against Roberto Martínez’s men to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Luis de la Fuente’s side face Belgium on Friday night, before a possible giant clash against World Cup favourite France.
“I don’t make decisions in the heat of the game, nor do I want to draw attention away from what has been achieved in the World Cup with a personal decision,” Ronaldo told the Portuguese press.
“The overall assessment of the World Cup is that we could have done better, but we were knocked out by a team that is going to be in the final – or at least very close.
“I think it was an even game, it could have gone either way, and we were a bit unlucky to concede a goal in the last five minutes.
“But as I said, I walk with a clear conscience – I gave everything, we gave everything, and when that happens, there is nothing to criticize.
Ronaldo also thanked outgoing national team boss Martínez, who is ready to join the Real Madrid legend in Saudi Arabia and Al-Nassr.
“What I want to say to the national team manager is that I loved working with him,” Ronaldo said.
“He is a great person and a great coach, and what he has done for Portugal is commendable.
“He won a trophy for Portugal. A lot of people probably don’t appreciate it, but I value it very highly.
“Portugal hadn’t won anything for a long time, but in the last few years we’ve won three titles – and that shows the value it has.
Reigning champions Argentina survived a real shock to reach the quarter-finals – they came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Egypt 3-2 in the game’s dying minutes.
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