Perhaps it really wasn’t the ideal moment to debate life planning. But it came as a surprise that Luis Enrique Martínez, Spain coach, looked defeatist after the 1-0 win. “Bah!” Luis Enrique shouted into the microphone of the Spanish broadcaster TVE: “The future doesn’t exist!”
The exclamation was the answer to a question that had only been discussed in the background so far – and which should become increasingly relevant in the coming weeks: whether Luis Enrique, 52, will extend his contract. His ties to the Spanish association RFEF will end with this year’s World Cup, in which Spain also has to deal with Germany in the preliminary round, on the 2nd match day of group E (27 November). The opportunity to ask him about his further career plans was good: Spain had reached the Final Four tournament of the Nations League by winning in Portugal, in June the Iberians will meet Croatia, the Netherlands and Italy at a location that has not yet been determined.
In view of the way the world is going, it can hardly be disputed that all pessimism is justified. But the fact that Luis Enrique turned down the offer to talk about his plans was more because he was rationally savoring the moment – especially as he was still filled with the euphoria that the late winning goal had caused.
One point would have been enough for the Portuguese to enter the attractive final round of the Nations League
Only in the 88th minute did the Spaniards score through Álvaro Morata, the Atlético Madrid striker immediately storming to Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), who had set up the goal with a header in his second international match for Spain and his prospects of a nomination for improved the World Cup. “This goal is yours!” Morata shouted, reported Williams, who, together with Sergio Busquets and Pedri, who had also been substituted on, had tipped the game in favor of the Spaniards.
Spain’s winner Alvaro Morata (right) celebrates alongside Nico Williams
(Photo: Miguel Riopa/AFP)
The Spaniards had seemed dull in the first half; Luis Enrique later took the blame for the sterile pushing of the ball back and forth. He urged his team to refrain from passing into certain danger zones, and at half-time he corrected the original instructions. He challenged and got more depth. The Portuguese had felt safe, a point would have been enough for them to enter the extremely attractive final round of the Nations League next June. In the end, however, they paid a heavy price, both for coach Fernando Santos’ conservative approach and for the chances they missed. Cristiano Ronaldo, too, who, like his comrades, failed due to the outstanding Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón.
The now 37-year-old Manchester United striker is increasingly moving away from his own myth. He used to play like a big landowner and tilled endless fields, but now his radius of action is limited to a small garden, the Spanish newspaper complained El País in advance of the game. Nobody in Portugal likes to say that so clearly, the myth is still too big. Around the 60th minute the crowd in Braga was calling his name.
But the doubts as to whether Portugal would play better without Ronaldo are so pressing that Bruno Fernandes, also under contract with Manchester United, felt compelled to give a defensive speech. “We should not forget that he is still the national team’s all-time leading goalscorer,” said Fernandes. “So don’t start any fairy tales now. Once he scores, he will have the composure to score more goals for us.” So far there have been 117 goals in 189 games.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos is not bothered by the growing debate over his tenure
Ronaldo’s goal of improving his goalscoring record is still relevant. Although he is gradually getting to an age where he increasingly has to put up with outrageous comparisons. That’s what the sports newspaper recently wrote mark, he should better do without solid food and “switch to soups”. Ronaldo himself sees himself in Portugal’s national team for years to come. Notwithstanding the fact that strikers like Diogo Jota (Liverpool) or Rafael Leão (Milan) outstrip him.
The fact that Ronaldo once again threw away the captain’s armband after the end of the game was only due to his anger at the bitter Nations League end. His goal remains to take part in the upcoming European Championships, which will be held in Germany in 2024. Coach Fernando Santos, 67, would also like to be there, the growing debates about his leadership did not itch him, he said. “My contract runs until 2024. I can’t say it more directly,” explained Santos. But whether there is a future for him in the association will depend primarily on the performance of the Portuguese at the World Cup.