Cristiano Ronaldo saw his World Cup dreams end for good on Saturday night as Portugal were upset by Morocco in their quarter-final clash.
Ronaldo, 37, knew that the showpiece tournament in Qatar was his final opportunity to win the World Cup. And after guiding Portugal to European glory back in 2016, Ronaldo was yearning for a fairytale ending to his glittering international career by emulating that feat with a maiden world crown.
But Morocco hadn't read the script: they made history themselves at the Al Thumama Stadium, where Walid Regragui's side became the first African nation to ever reach the semi-final stage of a World Cup courtesy of a solitary goal from Youssef En-Nesyri.
While Morocco celebrated, Ronaldo walked off the pitch alone and in tears. He had started the match on the bench, but with Portugal trailing, he was introduced from the bench just six minutes into the second-half.
Ronaldo struggled to make an impact as Portugal went out with a whimper; he blew a golden chance to force extra-time after shooting straight at Bono when through on a goal to cap a frustrating and innocuous cameo showing.
The result means that Ronaldo failed to score a single goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup during his storied career after blanking in eight games. During those matches, played across five different tournaments, Ronaldo had a total of 27 shots without finding the net for Portugal.
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While Ronaldo's World Cup dream is over, his rival, Lionel Messi, still has a chance of lifting the coveted Jules Rimet trophy for the first time after Argentina booked their spot in the World Cup semi-finals 24 hours beforehand.
Messi and Ronaldo are both widely acknowledged as the two finest players of their generation, but it had been suggested that either one of them edge out ahead of the other by claiming the one accolade that has eluded them both throughout their trophy-laden careers.
And Ronaldo's international teammate Bruno Fernandes slammed Argentine referee Facundo Tello and sensationally claimed that FIFA were to blame for their World Cup exit.
Tello came under fire for a number of decisions during the match and Fernandes believes that Tello shouldn't have overseen the match considering his nation were still alive in the tournament.
"I don't know if they're going to give the cup to Argentina. I don't care, I'm going to say what I think and screw them," he fumed after the match. "It's very strange that a referee from a team that whistles us it's still in the World Cup. They've clearly tilted the field against us."
Pep also raged at the decision with similar comments. He told Relevo: "It's inadmissible that an Argentine referee was in charge today after what happened yesterday, with Messi complaining. After what I saw today, they can give the title to Argentina now."
