World Cup 2022: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Five Worst Moments at the Tournament

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo is living through a nightmare World Cup campaign in Qatar. The 37-year-old was benched for his nation's 6-1 demolition of Switzerland on Tuesday night.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid talisman has been struggling for form so far, at the tip of Fernando Santos’ attack.

With the five-time Ballon d'Or winner finding himself on the fringes of the action in the Middle East country, Sports Brief takes a look at five low moments Ronaldo has endured at the Mundial.

The penalty against Ghana

Ronaldo scored his first and only goal at the tournament so far via the penalty spot, as the Selecao beat Ghana in their opening World Cup fixture.

Ghana had been comfortably holding Portugal, until referee Ismail Elfath awarded a penalty for Mohammed Salisu's challenge on the opposition captain.

The 37-year-old then slotted home from the spot in the 65th minute to give the European country the lead, as they went ahead to win 3-2.

But the way the spot-kick was won was dubious, to say the least - Ronaldo went down far too easily and made a meal of a tackle before the referee pointed to the spot, turning the tide of the tussle in the process.

Many fans were critical of the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star for his theatrics - while they also attacked the way VAR handled the situation as well.

A hair of goal

Portugal cruised to a 2-0 victory over Uruguay at the Lusail Stadium, to qualify for the World Cup round of 16.

Fernando Santos' side opened the scoring in the second half after Bruno Fernandes floated a cross into the box. The ball flew past Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, with Ronaldo wheeling in celebration as if he'd got the final touch with a glancing header.

The veteran srtiker thought he had scored his side's first goal after trying to get a touch on the Manchester United midfielder's cross.

However, FIFA ultimately gave the goal to Fernandes. Ronaldo was later spotted protesting the decision at full-time, gesturing that the ball touched his hair.

It was an incident that saw him mocked and ridiculed online, with some labelling his actions as desperate.

An 'assist' for South Korea

Ronaldo was handed a starting berth in Portugal's final group game against South Korea, but he cut a frustrating figure in the game as the Europeans lost 2-1 to the Asian side.

At one point, the ex-Manchester United striker appeared to duck out the way for the Tigers of Asia to score. He later clashed with a South Korean player after he was substituted.

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Initially, it was thought the 37-year-old was angry with his coach for taking him off after 65 minutes, but Santos disclosed later that his star man was insulted by the unnamed player.

A show of petulance

Ronaldo looked frustrated and acted angrily after he was hooked off against South Korea in Portugal's final group game.

Santos expressed his unhappiness with his superstar's behaviour, and that eventually led the coach to drop the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for their round of 16 clash against Switzerland.

The legendary Real Madrid forward came on in the 73rd minute against the European side to a huge ovation, after fans had been calling for him to be introduced.

Walking off alone

Portugal recorded a 6-1 victory over Switzerland on Tuesday night to progress to the quarter-finals. Santos' side did so without their most notable player for a large part of the game.

After the match, Ronaldo led the Portugal squad to celebrate with their supporters around the stadium. But while the five-time Ballon d'Or winner did mingle with teammates, he was the first player to head down the tunnel.

This isn't the only time the veteran has left the action early, having repeated a similar theme at Manchester United before he left the club last month.

Portugal fans want Ronaldo dropped

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that a resounding 70 per cent of Portugal fans wanted Cristiano Ronaldo dropped for their clash against Switzerland on Tuesday night.

Ronaldo and his teammates lock horns against the Swiss in a last-16 World Cup clash at the Lusail Stadium, with the winner to face Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Heading into the critical clash, a Portuguese newspaper conducted a survey which showed support for their talisman was wearing thin.