Former PSV player gives an explanation for Portugal’s disastrous World Cup: “Unfortunately”
1 min readPortugal is knocked out of the World Cup in North America on Monday night after a 0-1 defeat against title contender Spain. As stoppage time began, the curtain fell for Cristiano Ronaldo & co.
The elimination most likely also means the end of the World Cup for Ronaldo. In 2006, the Portuguese star played his first World Cup, and the 2026 World Cup was his sixth and most likely last World Cup.
Former PSV player and current analyst Wim Kieft has been amazed by the Portuguese team’s performances this century at all World Cups. Only in 2006 did the Portuguese team reach the semifinals this century, while in 2002 and 2014 the group stage was already the end of the road.
''I honestly think it has to do with the way they play. Over the past twenty to thirty years, they have always had such good players, but it’s in their nature to adapt. Today, against Spain, that might not even have been such a bad idea, to keep the spaces small. But they always assume that they don’t have the ball, unfortunately,'' Kieft said to NOS after the match.
Afterwards, there was also a lot of emotion to be seen from Cristiano Ronaldo. ''An incredible career. Is it painful to see him become less and less? In the end, no. Of course it was such a tall tree, which has brought so many beautiful things. And now the end is here. I understand that you then get a bit emotional. That’s completely normal'', Kieft said.
Comments9
Kieft: "Ze gaan altijd uit van niet de bal hebben"... that is exactly why they waste their best years. Make the pitch smaller, sure, but then win the second ball, win duels in midfield, and create actual pressure. This felt mid at best, not peak Portugal 👀
Ronaldo 100% hartstikke emotioneel, en ik snap dat helemaal. Maar die "einde daar" komt ook omdat het team al tijden die mid-zomer-ervaring mist op toernooien. Portugal met zulke spelers en dan toch steeds hetzelfde verhaal, echt 🤡.
Also funny/sad how Kieft says they adapt poorly. Portugal always had talents, but the setup reads like it is stuck in an old identity. Against Spain they tried something smart, and still it wasnt enough 😅
Wim Kieft heeft wel gelijk, Portugal heeft talent genoeg maar die speelstijl blijft te defensief in fases waarin je juist durf moet tonen. Tegen Spanje de ruimtes klein maken klinkt goed, maar als je daarna steeds op achterstand moet reageren ben je snel klaar. 0-1 en klaar is gewoon zuur.
"maar het zit in hun aard om zich aan te passen. ... gaan altijd uit van niet de bal hebben" ja dat was echt PSV-tactiek-light, maar dan verkeerd uitgepakt. Spanje vond elke keer die timing en Portugal kon amper ademhalen. Jammer genoeg indeed 😬
Ronaldo tears are understandable, "Een ongelooflijke carrière" is the truth. But tbh it is brutal to watch a team limp into its exit like that, especially when you see how Spain managed phases better.
Idk, i feel like Portugal were too rigid. If you are gonna be off the ball, you need sharp transitions and clear triggers, not just sitting and hoping for moments. Spain punished that hard.
"Jammer genoeg" is echt het juiste gevoel. 2006 had that spark, then 2002 and 2014 straight out of the group, and now again... feels like the same pattern with better players.
That quote from Kieft is bang on: going into tournaments with "not have the ball" energy is a trap. Against Spain you at least tried to make the spaces small, but Portugal never really looked like they could control anything.