Because the Portuguese national team is so dependent on their talismanic captain, Cristiano Ronaldo…
From the start of the match, there was no denying Iran’s coach knows Portugal’s tactical secrets. Despite being the underdogs in this crucial World Cup Matchday 3 fixture, Carlos Queiroz’s men displayed urgency with pressing runs to try and unsettle the European champions.
The latter responded with a much better performance than the one they presented in the narrow 1-0 victory over Morocco on Matchday 2. Still, there were instances when Raphael Guerreiro produced unecessary fouls, or when William’s slow pace almost backfired.
Upfront, captain Cristiano labored to launch attacks by connecting with Joao Mario. Despite forcing corners upon corners in the first period, it wasn’t until the 45th minute that the deadlock was broken. Remarkably, the author of that goal was not Cristiano Ronaldo but his partner in crime, Ricardo Quaresma.
It was a fantastic volley worthy of all the praise as he executed it from the outside of his foot. The celebration of the goal also showcased just how much Portugal’s number 20 finds faith in his skipper.
So how did Twitter react as Ricardo Quaresma scored Portugal’s first non-Cristiano Ronaldo goal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup? With humor and much surprise, of course. Enjoy this compilation of some of the best reactions to this moment:
đ”đč When do we just rename the Trivela the Quaresma?
Who else has mastered the art? đš pic.twitter.com/Mx73vskHeJ
— UEFA Nations League (@UEFAEURO) June 25, 2018
RICARDO QUARESMA, THAT IS NAUGHTY…đ„
(đ„IG/maria_esina5885)pic.twitter.com/gpbTUoWhSV
— FTS Football (@FromTStands) June 25, 2018
A Quaresma goal and Aboubakar news all within 20 minutes of each other. BeĆiktaĆ twitter turned up to 100!!!
— Toyaa Hutchinson đ (@toyaa_h) June 25, 2018
Portugal's last six goals at World Cup finals:
2014 WC – Ronaldo
2018 WC – Ronaldo
2018 WC – Ronaldo
2018 WC – Ronaldo
2018 WC – Ronaldo
2018 WC – Quaresma— Hammad (@Ronaldoesquee) June 25, 2018
This is Quaresma's first World Cup. How????????????????????????? Portugal 1-0 Iran, into HT stoppage time.
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) June 25, 2018
GOOOOAAAAALLLLL
Where did that come from? #POR lead 1-0 against #IRN thanks to a pearler from Quaresma. pic.twitter.com/vE75wWaU7r
— Pro:Direct Soccer (@ProD_Soccer) June 25, 2018
After 1463 Days a player not named Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in the World Cup for Portugal.
— Ryan. (@Rygista) June 25, 2018
BREAKING: Portugal player scores sensational 25-yard goal with outside-of-the-boot screamer – and it's NOT Ronaldo. #quaresma
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 25, 2018
OMG HAHAHA SOMEONE SCORED FOR PORTUGAL AND GUESS WHAT?ITS NOT RONALDO
— The Godmother (@Shlerooo) June 25, 2018
