Cristiano Ronaldo threw his captain’s armband to the ground in anger after being controversially denied an injury-time winner as Portugal b...
Cristiano Ronaldo threw his captain’s armband to the ground in anger after being controversially denied an injury-time winner as Portugal blew a two-goal lead against Serbia in World Cup qualifying on Saturday, while Romelu Lukaku’s 59th international goal salvaged Belgium a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic.
The Netherlands saw off Latvia 2-0 after their opening Group G defeat by Turkey, who backed up that performance with an impressive 3-0 victory over Norway.
Portugal drew 2-2 in Belgrade, despite Ronaldo believing he had scored the winner in the third minute of stoppage time when the ball appeared to cross the goalline before Stefan Mitrovic cleared.
But without technology in use, the goal was not awarded and a fuming Ronaldo was then booked for his protests.
At the final whistle he stormed from the pitch, throwing his captain’s armband to the ground.
“I always give and will give everything for my country, that will never change,” Ronaldo later posted on his Instagram page.
“But there are difficult times to deal with, especially when we feel that an entire nation is being harmed.”
Portugal coach Fernando Santos told RTP: “We scored a goal that was not given when the ball went in. In a match of this level, that isn’t possible.”
Portugal had appeared to be cruising...
