Two Croatias, One Ronaldo, And Ninety Minutes Of Pure Theatre

By Chris Osa Nehikhare

There were two Croatias on display yesterday.

For the opening 45 minutes, I honestly wondered what their game plan was. They looked hesitant, almost reluctant to engage Portugal. They surrendered possession too easily, rarely pressed with conviction and never imposed themselves on the contest. If you had switched on at halftime, you could have been forgiven for thinking Croatia had forgotten they were playing a World Cup knockout match.

Then came the second half.

It was as though another team had emerged from the dressing room.

The passing became crisp. The movement became purposeful. Croatia suddenly rediscovered the patient, technical football that has made them one of the most respected international sides over the last decade. They were tapping the ball around with confidence, stretching Portugal and forcing them to chase shadows.

Once Croatia found the net, their belief soared.

They sensed vulnerability.

They pushed higher, committed more men forward and began running rings around Portugal’s midfield. For long spells, Portugal simply could not get hold of the ball. The midfield that had looked composed in the first half suddenly appeared to have disappeared altogether.

Portugal responded by introducing four substitutes.

One decision, however, genuinely surprised me. Bruno Fernandes was withdrawn.

It was a bold call, considering his creativity and ability to produce something from nothing. Whether it was tactical or simply an attempt to inject fresh legs, it certainly altered Portugal’s rhythm.

Then came another defining moment.

Cristiano Ronaldo stepped forward and calmly dispatched a penalty with the composure that has defined his extraordinary career. Under immense pressure, he looked as though he was taking a routine spot-kick on a training ground.

It was vintage Ronaldo.

Yet even after taking the equaliser, Portugal never looked comfortable.

Croatia kept coming.

Wave after wave of attacks followed, and you could almost sense another Croatian goal was inevitable. Portugal looked tired, stretched and increasingly vulnerable.

Eventually, Ronaldo’s number went up.

As he walked off, I couldn’t help wondering whether this was the final World Cup match of one of football’s greatest icons. I suspect the thought crossed his mind too. Time catches up with every athlete, no matter how great.

For a brief moment, it felt like the curtain was coming down on an era.

Then football did what football does best.

Just when Croatia looked set to force extra time—or perhaps complete the turnaround—Portugal produced one final attack. Deep into added time, they found the breakthrough with a brilliantly taken goal that sent Portuguese supporters into delirium.

Growing up in Benin, we are often reminded that Portugal was the Benin Kingdom’s oldest European ally. Watching Portugal celebrate another dramatic World Cup victory brought a little historical sentiment into an already emotional evening.

It was a fitting ending to a magnificent contest.

The result means Cristiano Ronaldo lives to fight another day.

Whether you support him or not, football is richer for having him on the World Cup stage. Legends deserve the opportunity to write their own final chapter, and yesterday ensured that CR7 will have at least one more opportunity to do exactly that.

Sometimes football is about tactics. Sometimes it is about talent. Yesterday, it was about theatre.

And it delivered every single minute.