'I just closed my eyes and prayed' - Cristiano Ronaldo lunge left Martin Dubravka fearing the worst but Slovakia goalkeeper 'doesn't blame' ex-Man Utd team-mate
Martin Dubravka «prayed» Cristiano Ronaldo would not catch him in the face before being taken out by his former Manchester United team-mate.
WHAT HAPPENED? Ronaldo flew into a challenge on Newcastle United goalkeeper Dubravka during Portugal's 1-0 win over Slovakia in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday. The 38-year-old was booked for the rash foul and Dubravka, who was briefly Ronaldo's team-mate last season during a loan stint at Old Trafford, detailed where the Al-Nassr man caught him during the collision.
WHAT THEY SAID: «In the shoulder, the neck and the chest,» Dubravka told reporters after the game. «I just closed my eyes and prayed that he [Ronaldo] wouldn't hit me in the face as well. When I saw his studs coming at me, I didn't even look. These are situations when the goalkeeper closes his eyes and tries only to block the shot, and he, as a striker, has to go after such a ball. I don't blame him. It's sport, it's football. Situations like this belong to it. Of course, he realised he hit me. He asked me if I was OK. I take it sportingly.»
He added: «I try to keep a clear head in these situations. It is a contact sport. Today, when we have VAR at our disposal. There is no point in getting into it.»
THE BIGGER PICTURE: As a result of that yellow card he picked up against Slovakia, Ronaldo is suspended for Portugal's upcoming clash against Luxembourg. The former United striker is a big loss for the Portuguese as he has scored five goals during their qualifying campaign to date.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT? Portugal take on Luxembourg on Monday, while Slovakia host Liechtenstein on the same date.
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