Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick stats get worse after Euro 2024 win over Czechia as Portugal captain fails to score
Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick statistics got worse after missing an opportunity in his side's 2-1 win over Czechia in their opening game of EURO 2024. The 39-year-old did not do his reputation any favors, striking his set-piece straight at opposition goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek.
Ronaldo had a solid game throughout, with 3/5 shots on target (60%), two chances created (one big chance) and 22/22 passes completed (100%). He had two great opportunities from open play, but both of his low-driven shots were saved by Stanek.
With his set-piece also failing to trouble the shotstopper, the Portugal captain has now taken 29 free-kicks at the European Championships, since his debut in 2004, without having netted even one.
He has scored 11 free-kicks for Portugal in 208 appearances. Overall, he has scored 64 free-kicks in his entire career, but his form has taken a significant hit since the 2014-15 season.
Ronaldo suffered a nasty knee injury in 2014 which forced him to change from his legendary knuckle-ball technique. Since then, his goalscoring rate from free-kicks has drastically reduced.
However, over the last two years, the Portuguese maestro has somewhat regained his lost form. He has scored five free-kicks since joining Al-Nassr (three against Abha Club, one against Damac, and one for Portugal against Liechtenstein). He even scored two of them within 10 minutes of a single game (11', 21') against Abha in the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo and Portugal will face Turkiye in their next game in the group stage of EURO 2024 on June 22. If his side are awarded a free-kick, the Portuguese maestro will be hoping to break his duck and get the monkey off his back.
"There were few players in the area" - Manchester City's Bernardo Silva takes veiled shots at Cristiano Ronaldo's performance in Portugal's 2-1 win over Czechia
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva appeared to take veiled shots at Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo's performance in their 2-1 win over Czechia at EURO 2024.
Silva believed that Roberto Martinez's side were more potent in attack after the introduction of young talents like Francisco Conceicao and Pedro Neto off the bench.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Silva explained (via Mirror):
"Of course games in these competitions are never easy and we played against a team that gave us great difficulties... But especially in the second half with the changes we put more players in the area, which I think in the first half there were few players in the area to finish the chances. Chico (Conceicao), Jota, (Pedro) Neto, when they came in, they especially gave us that."
Twenty-one-year-old Conceicao proved to be the difference as he headed Neto's cross into the back of the net (90+2') just two minutes after coming onto the pitch.
Earlier in the game, Silva and fellow midfielder Bruno Fernandes had opted to look for other options even though there was an opportunity to play Ronaldo through on goal.