00:00For almost 20 years, football followed a simple rule.
00:03Whenever Lionel Messi produced magic, Cristiano Ronaldo answered with some of his own.
00:09This World Cup began differently.
00:11Messi dazzled with a hat-trick against Algeria.
00:14Ronaldo's performance against DR Congo sparked uncomfortable questions.
00:20Portugal drew 1-1.
00:22The result was disappointing.
00:24The bigger concern was how they played.
00:27They dominated possession.
00:29They controlled territory.
00:31Yet, their attacks often felt slow and predictable.
00:35Again and again, Portuguese players seemed determined to find Ronaldo.
00:40Even when better options appeared elsewhere.
00:43At 41, that should not be surprising.
00:47Ronaldo remains a legend.
00:49But he is no longer the unstoppable force who terrorized defenders for years.
00:54He finished the match with just 25 touches.
00:57Failed to register a shot on target.
01:00And struggled to influence the contest.
01:03The real issue though may not be Ronaldo at all.
01:06It may be coach Roberto Martinez.
01:08As Portugal searched for a winner, fresh legs arrived around Ronaldo.
01:14Ronaldo himself stayed on the pitch.
01:16World Cups reward hard decisions, not sentimental ones.
01:20Portugal have enough talent to challenge anyone if they are willing to evolve.
01:25Because after Houston, the biggest question is no longer whether Ronaldo has aged.
01:29It's whether Portugal are brave enough to admit it.
01:33Frankie D. Cruz and Amardeep Gill, FMT.
01:35So, let's go.
01:35Let's go.
01:36Let's go.
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