But Deco didn't shoot right away. Instead, he dribbled two steps to the right, then fired a cold, curling shot toward the far corner from the right side of the penalty arc.
It was sudden, but lacked power, and Casillas pushed it away.
It was obvious—Deco was far too nervous.
Some people believed that winning this match was no different from winning the World Cup itself.
Deco was clearly one of them.
But he wasn't the only one feeling the tension—Casillas was nervous too.
Though he stopped Deco's shot, he spilled the ball.
Pauleta charged in for the rebound, but Ibáñez, the stronger of the two, held him off and cleared it.
As one of Portugal's Golden Generation, Pauleta was indeed an excellent striker, having won his second Ligue 1 Golden Boot this season.
But on the world stage, Pauleta was only top-tier among second-rate forwards—right at the edge of first-rate.
Not quite elite.
His explosiveness wasn't enough.
And he was already thirty-three.
If that rebound had fallen to a more forceful striker, it might have gone in.
Fifth minute—Cristiano Ronaldo again, breaking down the left.
He rattled off a series of Stepover(s), forcing Sergio Ramos to retreat.
Alonso quickly moved in to support.
Cristiano Ronaldo then laid the ball to Maniche, who found Figo drifting toward the center. Figo squared it to Deco, and Deco, without stopping the ball, flicked it into the box with the outside of his foot—pure artistry.
Unfortunately, Puyol had anticipated it and stepped into the passing lane to break it up.
Alonso then spoke with Sergio Ramos, urging him to hold his position and stop giving Cristiano Ronaldo so much room to dribble and accelerate.
In truth, both Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo were young stars at this point—fiery, aggressive, and competitive.
But as the saying goes: when two alphas go head-to-head, one of them is gonna fold.
And in this case… Sergio Ramos was the one who folded.
When two players cut from the same cloth lock eyes, you instantly know who's genuinely ruthless and who's just putting on a show.
Ramos knew he couldn't stop Cristiano Ronaldo, so he kept backpedaling, too afraid to step up.
Sixth minute—Cristiano Ronaldo again!
After more dazzling dribbling, he cut inside as if Ramos weren't even there.
Ramos had no choice but to lunge.
Alonso again came across to cover.
But Cristiano Ronaldo left the ball behind with a heel touch, pulling both defenders away from it.
Maniche arrived and unleashed a thunderous long-range strike.
The ball skimmed just over the crossbar.
After the save, Casillas immediately pointed at Sergio Ramos and yelled at him—
basically: "Can't you put your body on him? Aren't you supposed to be strong in duels?"
Sergio Ramos had no defense.
If he dove into Cristiano Ronaldo, it would release Ronaldo's speed, creating even more danger for Spain.
And that logic was correct.
Queiroz: "Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most explosive players I've ever seen. If you nitpick specific details—technique, Ball Sense, decision-making—he's not the absolute best in any single one."
"But he always produces the most devastating effect possible with the cards he holds."
"That's why many players don't trust Cristiano Ronaldo."
"That's what sets Ferguson apart—he dared to give Cristiano Ronaldo that trust."
"And the same type of player exists on the opposing team today… yes, Su Hang."
"They're players who can win even with a bad hand, which is why I'm so excited for this match."
Years later, as Cristiano Ronaldo aged and changed his style, people long forgot his original sharpness.
During a World Cup people would rather not bring up, Cristiano Ronaldo was mocked for running out of ideas.
His young winger, Leão, had explosive flashes, but his style was lazy—unwilling to run even a little extra.
If a teammate didn't pass to him once, he'd start walking.
Despite being the very player Portugal needed for explosive impact, he barely used his speed, dribbling, or ball-carrying to help the team at all.
And yet countless people made excuses—saying he was full of talent, limitless in potential, a treasure worth protecting.
But the truth?
The occasional brilliance from 23-year-old Leão—those so-called "highlights"—
were merely the everyday standard of 21-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
Your brilliance is his normal day.
That's the helplessness felt by many veteran fans.
It's not that you can't praise Leão—but you can't apply double standards.
You can't praise Leão with lenient criteria while judging Cristiano Ronaldo with standards ten or a hundred times harsher.
The clearest example is this World Cup semifinal.
Historically and in this match, Cristiano Ronaldo was Portugal's primary attacking engine.
He tormented Sergio Ramos to the brink.
Sergio Ramos: …
But Spain certainly had countermeasures.
Eighth minute—Spanish Left Back Mariano carried the ball forward. Su Hang dropped back to connect, helping Mariano execute a one-two before making his own forward run.
Mariano squared the ball to Villa, who flicked it into the box with a heel touch.
But García stopped his run halfway, allowing Portugal's defender Meira to collect the ball—wasting a great chance.
Aragonés was furious on the sideline. García's movement was sloppy—plainly put, lazy, lacking the instinct to complete the play.
If a workhorse like Su Hang had made that run, the chance would have been taken.
That's what they call hard work being rewarded.
"Oh! The pace of this match is incredible! Both teams are trading attacks nonstop—neither wants to slow down," Queiroz praised. "This actually favors Portugal."
"First, Spain can't settle into their possession rhythm, so the match leans toward Portugal's style."
"Second, Portugal has found their advantage. Having Cristiano Ronaldo attack Sergio Ramos over and over creates chances almost every time."
Giving a similar analysis, Derek Rae said on the broadcast: "But Portugal's weakness is their much higher average age."
"They have several thirty-plus players like Figo and Pauleta. It's hard for them to maintain this intensity."
"Meanwhile, Spain has partially refreshed their squad with many young players."
"If Spain can hold out until the second half—or even extra time—they might be the ones closer to victory."
Tenth minute—Maniche passed wide to Figo.
This was Portugal's first attack down Figo's right side.
Figo received the ball, made two sharp changes of rhythm, blew past Mariano, and sent a low cross from the byline.
Puyol slid in to clear, then immediately shouted at Mariano, blaming him for being too unfocused.
Mariano apologized repeatedly.
He really had underestimated Figo.
He thought a 34-year-old like Figo would be coasting.
But what difference was there between him and the Cristiano Ronaldo on the opposite wing?
...