Cristiano Ronaldo lifted by fan who ran onto field during Portugal win
Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t even score a goal during Portugal’s qualifying match for Euro 2024, but he still had a fan sprinting onto the field to celebrate with him on Saturday — using Ronaldo’s iconic goal celebration.
At one point, a fan reached the field as Portugal faced Bosnia and Herzegovina, and he tore toward the soccer star, who departed from Manchester United to the Saudi Pro League’s Al Nassr FC in December.
The fan embraced Ronaldo — as he remained stoic and even appeared to, slightly, return the hug — before kneeling on the field.
Then, before security arrived and chased him away, the fan lifted Ronaldo into the air and executed his “siu” celebration, which involves leaping into the air and quickly driving the hands from above the head toward the hips.
As security officials neared after about 15 seconds, that fan raced away from Ronaldo and waved the Portugal flag.
Despite Ronaldo not reaching the scoresheet, Portugal won, 3-0, behind Bruno Fernandes’ two goals and Bernardo Silva adding one.
Ronaldo and Portugal lost to Morocco in the 2022 World Cup’s quarterfinals in December, and that led to then-head coach Fernando Santos stepping down amid a stretch where he benched Ronaldo for the final two matches.
With Saturday’s victory, Portugal remained undefeated (3-0) in Group J play entering Tuesday’s match against Iceland.
They still haven’t allowed a goal during the qualifying matches — while scoring 13 — and have won their first three games in the Euro qualifiers for the first time since Euro 1996, according to UEFA.com.
“Well, this is the qualification for a European Championship,” new Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez said about his team’s next match against Iceland, where it’ll attempt to maintain its advantage over Slovakia in the standings. “You have to be able to adapt. You have to be able to turn around in 72 hours and get ready. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
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