Fernando Santos' two-word reply to criticisms on decision to bench Ronaldo after Portugal's shock World Cup exit

Portugal manager Fernando Santos was immensely criticised for benching superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the crucial match, but had a two-word reply for the critics after the heartbreaking World Cup exit.

Portugal became the latest victim of Morocco's dream run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup as they were stunned in the quarter-final tie on Saturday at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Youssef En-Nesyri's stunner in the first half remained the sole difference in the match as Portugal's hope of reaching the World Cup semi-final for the second time in history came crashing down. Portugal manager Fernando Santos was immensely criticised for benching superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the crucial match, but had a two-word reply for the critics after the heartbreaking World Cup exit.

Portugal's coach Fernando Santos pats Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo was benched for the first time in this World Cup in the Round of 16 match against Switzerland earlier this week and was brought in only in the second half of the match. Portugal won the tie on a thumping note with Ronaldo's replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scoring a sensational hat-trick. Santos followed the same strategy with his starting XI against Morocco as well, but Portugal failed to find the back of the net.

When asked after the World Cup exit if he regretted the decision to bench Ronaldo, Santos said, “No, I don’t think so, no regrets.

“I think this was a team which played very well against Switzerland. Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, he came in when we thought it was necessary, so no regrets.”

Ronaldo has been one of the biggest talking point at the World Cup with what unfolded at Manchester United after his bombshell interview and later being benched in the tournament. But Portugal's senior tactician stressed that the off-field incidents had no impact on the player or on the team.

“I don’t think what happened to Cristiano Ronaldo and the criticism he received had any impact on the match, we have always been a team that is very united,” he said.