LISBON, Portugal (AP) – Portugal fans searching for explanations for their team’s disappointing World Cup performances are finding plenty of possible culprits.
A last-gasp 2-2 draw against the United States on Sunday, following a 4-0 thrashing by Germany, has left the Portuguese on the verge of a first-round exit from the tournament in Brazil.
Returning home after the group stage would be a stunning upset for team ranked fourth in the world by FIFA.
The finger-pointing has already begun, though. Targets for criticism include the team’s perceived over-dependence on star Cristiano Ronaldo, poor physical preparation, misguided organization for the tournament, coach Paulo Bento’s failure to bring new players into the team, and a squad that’s thin on quality midfielders and strikers.
A glum Ronaldo commented, “we’re probably just an average team.”