To the victors drawers the spoils.
Iceland stunned Group F favourites Portugal on Tuesday night to record a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2016 opener.
Cristiano Ronaldo tried his best, and worst, for Portugal but was left frustrated at the final whistle. So frustrated that he snubbed Iceland captain Aron Gunarsson and his request for a jersey swap.
Post-match, Ronaldo went further to antagonise the Icelanders. He criticised their reaction to the draw and remarked that their wild celebrations were confirmation of their “small mentality”.
When informed of the Real Madrid star’s comments, Iceland defender Kari Arnason had a cutting response. He told Ed Maylon of The Mirror:
“It makes it even sweeter when he’s a sore loser like that. I mean, he can say whatever he wants. He didn’t really get a chance today, he got one and he couldn’t put it away. What can I say? Sore loser. Tough shit.”
10 – Only @Cristiano v 🇳🇱 in 2012 (12) attempted more shots than… himself tonight v #ISL (10) in a EURO game since 1980. Burst.
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 14, 2016
Ronaldo had 10 pops at goal – most of them failing to find the target – and his free kick-taking was poor. Arnason recalled a header his rival had in the closing stages but felt he was generally well marshalled. He said:
“We didn’t set up to man mark him or anything, we just had to know where he was at any given moment and that he will shoot from outside the box and that everything has to be blocked.
“He’s a fantastic footballer but he’s not a gracious human being and the thing is we almost nicked the win so him saying we weren’t going for the win contradicts that.
“We got a draw and could have nicked it. Obviously we’re not going to create as much chances as a fantastic team like Portugal but his comments are the reason why Messi is always going to be one step ahead of him.
“It shows we got under his skin. It was lovely to hear that.”
The comments will surely be run by Ronaldo ahead of Portugal’s next game.
