Argentina 0-1 Portugal match report: Raphael Guerreiro grabs last-gasp winner on Ronaldo's return
Football friends: Messi and Ronaldo meet again
The eagerly-awaited friendly failed to live up to lofty expectations as Ronaldo and Messi came off at half-time but Portugal snatched the win
They came hoping to see football’s two heavyweights slug it out – but instead fans left disappointed by this display of shadow boxing from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Apart from a few jabs landed by Messi, there was little to excite the expectant crowd inside Old Trafford.
Ronaldo’s only contributions were to blaze a shot over and kick Lucas Biglia in the stomach on his return to his former home.
The two superstars were substituted at half-time to the obvious disappointment of the fans and some of them booed.
Messi edged this truncated chapter in their rivalry to be acclaimed as the best player on the planet, hitting the post and helping to create a couple of chances for Argentina.
He looked lively during his 45-minute cameo and dissected the Portugal defence, playing a one-two with Biglia on the right, before shooting against the post from the narrow angle.
From another surge, the Barcelona star fed the overlapping Facundo Roncaglia who crossed for Javier Pastore to connect with a header, which was saved by Beto.
Messi then whizzed a 20-yard free-kick just over the bar from a dangerous position on the right to round off his evening’s work.
Without them, the 41,000 crowd entertaining themselves with a Mexican wave before substitute Raphael Guerreiro headed home the winner in stoppage time.
Louis van Gaal watched on and he was relieved to see Angel Di Maria recover after Manchester United team-mate Nani stood on his right foot.
Category: sokka
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