Ronaldo falls over

I got out to watch the Iberian derby yesterday and what a pile of poo it was. After 27 games without the slightest chance of a goal-less draw, we get two in two games.

All that nandy-pandy passing around and not a shot on goal. I was particularly disappointed in Portugal, as was the packed bar I was in, who I thought had the beating of a tired looking Spanish team. Conversely in extra time I just felt if Spain wanted to up the pace a little they would have won conventionally instead of going to the penalty shoot-out.

The crowd mostly made up of neutrals made their feelings clear to what they thought of the game of attrition before them. At least the Italy v England game had a bit of penalty box action.

Ronaldo failed miserably on the big stage and then at the penalty shoot-out stood and watched as one of his centre-halves stepped up ahead of him. I have heard in recent days Ronaldo compared more favourably than Lionel Messi, and although he is proven in both the Premier League and La Liga, Messi avoids all of Ronaldo’s histrionics and wears a lot less hair gel.

One final thought on yesterday’s game. How far has Fernando Torres’ stock dropped that Del Bosque didn’t think he could change the game when it was apparent that no one else could. Or is the Spanish manager just obsessed by the ‘false no.9’?

The Germans meanwhile look head and shoulders above the competition and they play Italy later in Warsaw. I won’t be watching as I am still trying to reclaim the lost 2.5 hours from yesterday.