Portugal coach Fernando Santos has dismissed rumours that the Portuguese camp asked FIFA to award Cristiano Ronaldo the much-debated Portugal opener in their Group H win over Uruguay.
Portugal won the game 2-0 via two second-half goals but there was confusion over who had scored the first, after Bruno Fernandes’ cross bounced home but not before Ronaldo had swung his head at the ball and ran to the corner flag celebrating as if he’d scored. The goal was later awarded to Fernandes after it was proved Ronaldo failed to get a touch and, speaking at his press conference before the final group game with South Korea, Santos laughed off reports that he or the Portuguese federation tried to change that decision, saying:
“Me? I don’t know anyone there, how could I ask? I don’t know anyone at FIFA. I can only ask the people I know. Neither myself nor anyone from the national team has asked for anything. The best answer: in my opinion, it was André Silva’s goal. If the goal was awarded to André Silva, I would still be happy.”
RB Leipzig striker Silva, however, was an unused Portugal substitute for the Uruguay game and is yet to play in Qatar at all during the World Cup.
A draw with South Korea will ensure Portugal top Group H having already qualified for the last 16.
GWFN
