NO DOUBT ABOUT IT ...RINALDO IS BACK
BRIEFLY TOLD (since when?) ...
… so, when LIONEL MESSI missed a penalty (horrors!) Monday, Fox
talent was stunned but nevertheless, knew him well enough to know
the smallish Argentinian probably would make up for it … which he
surely did.
THAT WAS MORE THAN just another goal Tuesday to open the
scoring for Portugal against Uzbekistan in Houston. In the seventh
minute, CRISTIANO RENALDO, one of all-time greats whose
better years are long behind him, connected … and thereby set off a
celebration usually reserved for something more important.
“It’s been more than five years since he last scored a goal in open play.
He’s gone 10 tournament matches … with only one assist,” said
DARREN FLETCHERon Fox earlier … perhaps setting the stage
for continued failure by the once-great striker.
So, when Rinaldo, standing about seven yards from the goal, picked
the short side, one-timing a pass from , Fletcher hollered
“RINALDO!!” … then did what any good play by play man does on
TV: he let the pictures do the talking … for more than half-a-minute
while cameras followed Rinaldo running around, finally receiving
hugs (even a few kisses) from teammates.
“His 144th international goal … the smile on the face of his manager
and the smile on the face of the Portugal squad ... because their main
man is off and running in the tournament,” Fletcher said, later noting
his color commentator OWEN HARGREAVES prewould not
disappoint this day.
“How many more can he get today, Fletch?” Hargreaves said.
Among the pre-tournament favorites … but riddled by uncertainty
especially over Rinaldo’s lingering inability to put the ball in the net
… Portugal romped 5-0 to move on to the knockout round of 32.
Rinaldo added another goal in the 39th minute after being used as a
decoy on a set piece by Mendes in the 17th.
“He’s like that. He’s a great teammate,” said Hargreaves, a much-
decorated midfielder who played with Rinaldo for ManU in the early
2000s.
For Rinaldo’s second goal of the game … a perfect through pass on the
run by BRUNO FERNANDEZ (Manchester United) led to an
pinpoint shot that nicked the far post and went in. He responded by
saying “I’m back! … I’m back.”
Shortly before halftime, Rinaldo barely missed his hat trick, finding
the right post while off-balance, falling to the ground while the ball
was cleared away.
How important was the third goal to Rinaldo? In a game that was
determined by intermission when Portugal led 3-0, he refused to be
replaced, risking unnecessary injury.
“He recognizes he’s a performer,” said Fox studio yapper ALEXI
LALAS, after Rinaldo became the first to score in six World Cups,
“and he certanily performed today.'"
Add to things the international mind cannot comprehend, according to
Fox: American fans singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” as good
luck charm for USMNT.
What about Norway’s fans lining up in a large group and pretending to
be rowing? What is that all about?
BELIEVE IT OR NOT … the 2026 FIFA World Cup has some
competion for sports headlines in this country. There actually are some
non-soccer goings on of more than passing interest.
… NHL Florida added BRADY TKACHUK (from Ottawa) to team
with brother MATTHEW TKACHUK in what they like to call a
blockbuster deal that should make the Panthers among the favorites to
claim their third Stanley Cup in four years … after assorted problems
saw them miss the playoffs in 2026. Florida also is said interested in
acquiring CONNOR HELLIBUYCK from Winnipeg … where the
two-time goalie of the year had an off-season – and made sure he
wouldn’t win any team popularity contests by bad-mouthing
teammates for not trying hard enough on defense. The Panthers are
said not to have an NHL-caliber goalie under contract. That includes
SERGEI BOBROVSKY, who no longer plays like the Hall of Famer
he most certainly will be.
To get B. Tkachuk, the Panthers gave up four first-round and one
second-round draft choices … Father KEITH TKACHUK was
named to the 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame Monday.
From the BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR playbook: The
Edmonton Oilers Tuesday named MIKE BABCOCK coach to replace
KRIS KNAUBLOCH who took them to back-to-back Stanley Cup
finals (2024-25), losing both times to Florida. During 17 years as a
coach, Babcock has developed a reputation for treating his players …
ahh, shall we say not very well. OK … badly.
Until next time ...
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