Santos reacts to criticism over decision to bench Ronaldo after Portugal exit | Soccer News

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Portugal became the latest victim of Morocco’s dream run to the 2022 FIFA World Cup as they were stunned in the quarter-finals on Saturday at Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium. Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half stunner remained the only difference in the game as Portugal’s hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-final for the second time in history fizzled out is collapsed. Portugal coach Fernando Santos was heavily criticized for putting on bench superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the crucial game but had a short answer to criticism after the heartbreaking exit from the World Cup.

Ronaldo was benched for the first time at this World Cup in the Round of 16 tie against Switzerland earlier this week and was only brought in in the second half of the game. Portugal won the tie on a smashing note with Ronaldo’s substitute Goncalo Ramos scoring a sensational hat-trick. Santos also followed the same strategy with their starting XI against Morocco, but Portugal failed to find the back of the net.

ALSO READ: Watch: Heartbroken Cristiano Ronaldo in tears after Portugal’s shock loss to Morocco in FIFA World Cup quarter-finals

When asked after the World Cup exit if he regretted the decision to bench Ronaldo, Santos replied: No, I don’t think so, no regrets.

I think they are a team that played very well against Switzerland. Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, he arrived when we thought it was necessary, so no regrets.

Ronaldo was one of the biggest talking points at the World Cup with what unfolded at Manchester United after his explosive interview and later he was benched in the tournament. But Portugal’s senior tactician stressed that the off-field incidents had no impact on the player or the team.

I don’t think what happened to Cristiano Ronaldo and the criticism he received had any impact on the game, we were always a very united team, he said.

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