Qatar World Cup: Why Was Cristiano Ronaldo Stripped Of Goal In 2-0 Win Against Uruguay?

Cristiano Ronaldo was once again in the limelight for the wrong reason Monday. He celebrated wildly thinking he has scored the opening goal for Portugal in their 2-0 win over Uruguay in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.

However, confusion prevailed after the referee reversed his decision and awarded the goal to his former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes.

After a goalless first half, the drama began in the 54th minute when a cross from Fernandes met in-motion Ronaldo, who appeared to flick the ball off his head and into the back of the net. The 37-year-old forward claimed the goal, wheeling off in celebration as it was his second strike of the 2022 World Cup.

While the FIFA referee officially gave the goal clearance to Ronaldo, Fernandes was announced as the goalscorer on the big screen at the Lusali Stadium. After extensive reviewing, the referee eventually overturned his decision and gave the goal to Manchester United's current No. 8.

Had Ronaldo been given the goal, it would have taken his World Cup goals tally to nine, making him Portugal's joint all-time scorer in the World Cup, along with legendary former striker Eusebio.

Later in the second half, Fernandes clinched a brace as he scored from the spot in injury time to make it 2-0 for Portugal. With two wins in as many games, Portugal became the third nation, after France and Brazil, to secure a place in the Round of 16.

After the match, both Fernandes and Portugal's head coach Fernando Santos were unable to clarify whether Ronaldo had provided the decisive final touch to the first goal.

"I celebrated [the goal] as if it had been Cristiano's goal. It seemed to me that he had touched the ball. My aim was to cross the ball for him. We are happy with the victory regardless of who scored. The most important thing is that we achieved our aim which is to be in the next round," Fernandes told reporters after the 2-0 win.

Even Portugal boss Santos said that since the team won and they played well, nothing else mattered at the moment.

"I think it was a great match. Our team played very well and the rest, for me, does not matter," added Santos.

In their final Group H game, Portugal will take on South Korea on Friday.