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06/23 11:10 CDT Portugal sticks with Ronaldo against Uzbekistan after a shaky
World Cup opener
Portugal sticks with Ronaldo against Uzbekistan after a shaky World Cup opener
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) --- Cristiano Ronaldo was in the starting lineup for Portugal's
World Cup game against Uzbekistan on Tuesday despite his forgettable
performance in the team's opening match.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo failed to score in Portugal's first game as the team
played to a surprising 1-1 draw with Congo.
Television pundits criticized Ronaldo's play against Congo after he missed a
couple of good scoring chances in the second half. Some also wondered why coach
Roberto Martnez didn't substitute him in the second half with the team
struggling offensively.
But Martnez went with Ronaldo again in a pivotal game where Portugal needs a
win to improve its chances of advancing to the knockout round.
Martnez did make two changes to the lineup, benching midfielder Bernardo Silva
for Joao Flix and starting defender Rben Dias over Tomas Arajo.
Ronaldo and Argentina captain Lionel Messi became the only men to play in six
World Cups with their participation this year. Ronaldo will try again Tuesday
to become the first player to score in six World Cup tournaments.
He currently shares the record with Messi, who has five goals in Argentina's
two matches this year to give him a record 18 goals across five tournaments.
Messi failed to score at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
