Jonathan Liew

They won't be able to press high and run like demons for 90 minutes.

If they can adapt, I think they have a squad that potentially could top the group, but certainly could bloody the noses of one of the tournament favourites.

Look, I've had so much fun with Cristiano Ronaldo at tournaments over the last few years.

I remember when he got dropped against Switzerland four years ago.

I took great pleasure in writing a sidebar from the game that didn't mention him once.

It was all about Gonzalo Ramos.

And then finally, Portugal bring on their big man at the end and Rafael Leal gets his goal.

Yeah.

And then a couple of years ago, when they went out to France, I wrote about, I called him the chain-wrapped anvil that will bring them all down.

And I think that's basically the popular view these days outside Portugal.

Yeah.

I actually, weirdly, I believe it a little bit less than I used to.

First of all, you have the Nations League finals last summer where Ronaldo does play a big part.

He scores against Spain in the final.

He scores the winner against Germany in the semi-final.

The goal against Germany comes from a fierce Ronaldo press, which I didn't think he possessed anymore.

Don't tell Wilson.

I know, but if you watch the goal, if you go back a few phases, Ronaldo charges down the keeper and they win back possession.

I think he is prepared to knuckle down a little bit.

You know, he's sharing the free kick duties at Al Nasser with Joao Felix, which I think is a good sign.