World Cup 2018: 3 things we learnt from Portugal's group games

#1 The Ronaldo sensation is indeed fading

Ronaldo was well below his best against Iran

Cristiano Ronaldo made the best start to an international tournament with Portugal when he struck an incredible hat-trick against Spain in the opening game. Pundits (and even the fans) were quick to jump the gun and presaged the Real Madrid ace to take Russia by storm.

But now between the end of group games and the start of the knockouts, one can vehemently say he's fading, and it isn't a good sign given the all-important Uruguay clash is barely 3 days away.

After heading Portugal in front against Morocco, Ronaldo slumped into the abyss of anonymity. He saw two of his efforts blocked while missed a good chance to double his tally when he blazed a loose ball into row Z with half of the goal gaping ahead of him.

Ronaldo's frustrations then threatened to boil over after watching his penalty denied by Iran's Beiranvand and narrowly escaped a red after he appeared to elbow Pauraliganji.

He was kept at arm's length by the stout Iran defence that starved him of any service and struck an effort early on straight at the goalkeeper after beating the offside trap.

Admittedly, Ronaldo is losing the momentum he built with that treble. To make it worse for him, he's also been surpassed in the Golden Boot race. And now against Uruguay, Portugal are the underdogs and touted to exit the World Cup. Ronaldo needs to get his shooting boots on to upset the odds.