World Cup 2018: 5 players who let Portugal down

Portugal’s World Cup run ended with a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay and it wasn’t a big shock. The defending European Champions salvaged a draw against Spain in their opening game thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick and a win against Morocco courtesy of another goal from their captain.

They also ran the risk of exiting in the group stage after Iran put up a tough fight in their final group stage game. Against Iran, Ronaldo missed a penalty and had he converted that spot kick, then Portugal could have finished first in their group and played Russia in the Round of 16.

Although Ronaldo missed that spot kick, it would be unfair to put any blame on him. However, there are other players in the Portugal squad who didn’t live up to expectations at the World Cup.

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#5 Andre Silva

Silva failed to produce the form he showed during the qualifying stage

During the qualifying phase of the 2018 World Cup, Andre Silva scored 9 goals which was the 12th highest in the world and the 5th highest in Europe. He formed a devastating partnership with Ronaldo who scored 15 goals in the qualifying stage.

At the World Cup, Silva started and completed the game against Iran in addition to making substitute appearances against Spain and Uruguay.

In total, he managed just one shot in 116 minutes he was on the field during the World Cup and didn’t register a goal or assist. He also had an average passing percentage of 76.5.

Silva came into the tournament on the back of a poor season with Milan and that was probably why he only started one game. Still only 22, he can have a big future for Portugal.

#4 Joao Mario

Mario played down the left wing despite although he isn't a natural winger

Before we discuss Joao Mario’s performance at the World Cup, we have to discuss the form with which he came into the World Cup.

Mario scored three goals and had four assists last season in all competitions for both Inter Milan and West Ham combined. While he was at Inter, he only started 5 games.

Although he isn’t a natural winger, he started three of Portugal’s four games and played down the left wing.

The 25-year-old failed to register a single goal or assist despite playing 261 minutes in Russia. He only played 6 key passes and mustered just one shot which came from outside the box.

One could assume that he was in the team to add more stability defensively but he was dribbled past five times and completed just four of the 9 tackles he went into.

#3 Goncalo Guedes

Guedes missed a great goalscoring chance against Spain

Guedes was picked for the World Cup squad after a terrific season with Valencia during which he scored 5 goals and assisted 9 more.

He scored two goals against Algeria in the pre-World Cup friendly and thus earned a starting role for the main tournament.

Guedes picked up the assist for Ronaldo’s second goal against Spain but it wasn’t special by any means and the goal only happened due to a terrible mistake from David De Gea. Against Spain, Guedes had a glorious opportunity to score and he squandered the chance.

In total, Guedes managed 5 shots of which three were from outside the box and only produced 3 key passes despite playing 245 minutes.

So much more was expected from the youngster but he failed to deliver and this increased the burden on Cristiano Ronaldo.

#2 Rui Patricio

Patricio was left red-faced by Cavani's second goal

The former Sporting captain and the new Wolverhampton Wanderers player started in goal for Portugal in all their games and was very underwhelming. In four games, he made just 8 saves with a below-par save percentage of 57.1.

Against Spain, there was little he could do about two of the three goals his side conceded but was left stranded for Diego Costa’s second goal. The ball was played across the face of goal and very near to the post and yet Patricio could only stand and watch.

Criticism of the goal against Spain might sound harsh but he was definitely at fault for Edinson Cavani’s second goal in the Round of 16 match. Patricio’s positioning was so bad that it gave Cavani a fantastic opportunity to curl one into the far post with a first time hit.

Portugal have Olympique Lyon’s goalkeeper Anthony Lopes to rely on and he is also younger than Patricio. Maybe Portugal should give a fair chance to the Lyon man for the next Euro.

#1 Bernardo Silva

Silva failed to register a single goal or assist

Bernardo Silva missed the Euro in 2016 through injury and it was considered a big blow. However, they still managed to win the tournament without him. His inclusion in the World Cup squad should have been a big boost for the team but he was terribly disappointing.

Silva started every game at the World Cup except for the one against Iran. Against Iran, Ricardo Quaresma started and he scored a sumptuous goal. As for Silva, he failed to register a goal or assist in the 238 minutes he played in Russia.

He started the games against Spain and Morocco but was taken off with a little over 20 and 30 minutes left to play respectively.

Silva managed just 2 shots despite playing all four games and more shockingly, played just four key passes. So much more was expected from the Manchester City star.