Spain Beats Portugal in Shootout, Continues a 500+ Year Tradition

Oh boy. We’re going to pay for this one, aren’t we?

We’ve been pretty heavy in our GO PORTUGAL mode the past couple days. So, yes, kick in, Embarrassment. There’s always a shi*ty ending, even though this isn’t the first time this tournament – or other tournaments – that the team who played better didn’t win the game. It’s a little sad that Spain is onto their third final in the last three major tournaments, but dynasties are rare in soccer, so maybe we should cherish this one?

Nah.

 Of course, shootouts are a damned shame of a way to end it, regardless of whether your team won it, or not. It’s not in indicative of the game, but then again, nothing about soccer is. Guys dive all over the place, and refs struggle just to keep up with the number of falling bodies, because everyone hits the deck like they’ve either been shot, or like they’ve been swept out to sea by a Thai tsunami.

And, of course, there was the call of Portuguese coach, Paulo Bento, who left Cristiano Ronaldo to shoot fifth in the tiebreakers. Ronaldo never shot. Now, did this cost Portugal the game? Probably not. You can’t bring it down to that. However, you have to give your captain and best player a shot. Put him second, or third. Last leaves you in one place… last.

Of course, if you boil this whole thing down to Ronaldo didn’t shoot, then you’re overlooking a myriad of factors that also involved Ronaldo in today’s game. I mean, he didn’t score when he had chances. And, Spain roughed him up.

So, while the tanned man was a visible force on the field all afternoon, he wasn’t a force at the back of the net, and that’s not up to Paulo Bento.

Congratulations, Spain. Just like during the Age of Discovery, you win.