UNUSED Portugal sub Goncalo Ramos was left limping – after a slide tackle when, where and from whom he least expected!
The Paris Saint-Germain striker must already have been frustrated – after remaining on the bench in a 3-0 win over Turkey.
Portugal players couldn’t believe it as Goncalo Ramos was downed[/caption] The Portugal sub was sent flying when he least expected[/caption] Team-mates were shocked to see Ramos felled[/caption]It made Portugal one of the first teams to win their group at Euro 2024 after a second victory in two games.
But as Ramos walked on the pitch to congratulate his team-mates he was cleaned out… by a steward.
And the face of Portugal hero Cristiano Ronaldo said it all.
Al-Nassr star Ron as ambling off as his rival for a place up front strolled into view right on front of him.
Suddenly a member of the security staff dashed across the pitch and upended Ramos.
The steward appeared to be rushing on to help a colleague catch a pitch intruder.
But instead he became one of the first people in Germany this summer to get to grips with Ramos, albeit accidentally.
The ex-Benfica star hobbled away – while Ronaldo surveyed the scene looking bewildered as he tried to comprehend what he had just seen.
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Portugal’s second scorer Bruno Fernandes appeared equally shocked by Ramos’ misfortune – just as viewers were.
One fan posted: ” You know, I shouldn’t laugh because he might have got injured. But that was funny. Did the referee book him by any chance?”
Another joked: “Got the ball ref.”
And a third wrote: “Looked like it hurt that one.”
At least it appears Ramos was not seriously hurt – except perhaps for a little damage to his pride.
Portugal Euro 2024 guide
CRISTIANO RONALDO remains the face of Portuguese football as the national team looks to win a second European Championship.
But the days when Portugal’s hopes would hang on Ronaldo, 39, alone are over as they have a squad packed with talent across the pitch.
MANAGER: Roberto Martinez
Former Everton, Wigan and Belgium boss is trying to put a more attacking stamp on a team that became increasingly dull under Euro 2016-winning predecessor Fernando Santos.
STAR MAN: Cristiano Ronaldo
Al-Nassr star remains an ever-present but PSG’s Goncalo Ramos and Liverpool’s Diogo Jota are both world class backups.
How Portugal attack
Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio and Joao Palhinha are all capable of building attacks from the back, given Portugal a unique dimension to their attack.
Attacking midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix can cause any defence problems as they look to feed Ronaldo and/or Ramos.
How Portugal defend
In contrast to the approach under Santos, Portugal will play with a medium-to-high block and look to win possession up the field.
Players will press aggressively to provide support for Ronaldo, who clearly tends to do less work defensively.
Read the full Portugal Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags