Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have long been connected as high-quality rivals for the crown of greatest ever, however the 2018 world Cup will see them exit with a similar mark on their record.
Hours after Messi’s world Cup came to an end with a 4-3 defeat to France, Ronaldo and Portugal fell 2-1 to Uruguay, that means the real Madrid superstar will no longer be able to add to his stunning trophy case in Russia.
It was no longer for lack of attempting as Ronaldo tried six shots inside the contest, which was one more than Uruguay as a team had on the night. But, best one hit the goal, and was saved, leaving Ronaldo with out a goal for the second straight game.
Even as Ronaldo got off to a fast start in Russia, scoring a hat-trick in Portugal’s 3-3 opening draw with Spain, and the winner in a 1-0 victory over Morocco, he persisted and unfortunate tradition against Uruguay of failing to score in the knockout rounds of the world Cup.
It is a distinction that he shares with his Barcelona rival, whose scoreless outing against France meant he had failed to find the net in 8 knockout round games.
Ronaldo went scoreless in the 2006 knockouts, with Portugal beating Netherlands 1-0 and getting by way of England in a scoreless contest that went to penalties before then losing to France within the semi-final. Ronaldo additionally didn't score in a 3-1 third-place game loss to Germany.
In 2010, Ronaldo was one and done within the knockouts, as eventual champion Spain bounced Portugal 1-0 on the strength of a David Villa goal in the round of sixteen.
Ronaldo played a big part in Portugal getting 4 points in the 2014 group level, with an assist to earn his country a draw against the united states and the game-winning goal against Ghana, however they in the end completed third of their group and missed the knockout level.
Now in 2018, his streak will keep after Edinson Cavani’s brace ensured Portugal are yet again out in the round of 16, though Ronaldo has had two fewer opportunities than Messi.
In overall, Messi went 756 minutes within the business end of the world Cup without scoring and Ronaldo 514 minutes.
At 33 years old, the loss to Uruguay may additionally have been Ronaldo's last chance at finally breaking that knockout spherical duck, as neither he nor Messi, who is 31, are guaranteed to be playing in the 2022 world Cup in Qatar.
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