Ronaldo returns from suspension with a stamp

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo cuts a hapless figure during the match against Real Betis after returning from a five-game suspension for pushing the refree in the Spanish Super Cup match against FC Barcelona.

The Portuguese forward stamped on the foot of an opponent while trying to dribble. His touch and ball control, which has been abysmal in this game were on show as the ball got ahead from him and Ronaldo instead stamped on the calf of Betis player Manu. Ronaldo however escaped without punishment as the refree may have acknowledged the incident as accidental.

Ronaldo’s demeanor worsened throughout the game as he missed a sitter of a chance infront of goal. Welsh forward Gareth Bale squared a well-placed pass onto Ronaldo’s path but the Portuguese made a meal of the finish and sent the ball high and wide of the bar from what wass supposed to be a routine finish.  

At one point the Real Madrid star started to blame the state of the Bernabeu pitch and threw up his arms in frustration. The fact that he was nine goals behind Messi so early on in the season might have played a role in this dismal performance.

The Betis defence, which looked to push him wide, kept the Portuguese quiet for the majority of the match. Cristiano resorted to shots from distance and when good opportunities fell on his path he repeatedly miscued his shots.

Former Barcelona player and youth product Antonio Sarabria scored for the visitors deep in stoppage time to secure a memorable victory at the Bernabeu.

There have been talks of how much Real Madrid missed having a forward during the previous La Liga matches. Real Midfielder Marcos Llorente suggested that Real Madrid would have won the Levante match if Cristiano was playing. That was certainly not evident from the match against Betis. However, Real Madrid can look back to Cristiano finding some form and fitness when they play Alaves on September 23.