The world is always crazy about Cristiano Ronaldo. Whether he plays for Real Madrid or Portugal, the five-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner is always in the headlines.

Following his heroic performance against Spain last Friday, the Portuguese skipper was the man to watch out for in the next match. Arriving early at the Luzhniki Stadium, wearing the traditional Portuguese colours, I was thrilled to see the entire arena red.

Match on! Portugal vs Morocco. They had to win it to stay in the tournament, and we had to win it too. The stakes were high.

For a moment I felt at home. Little did I know that the Portugal fans were overshadowed by the sea of Morocco fans, incidentally who also don the same colours (red and green). My vocals were lost amidst the chaotic Moroccans. It was a nervy beginning for the Portugal fans.

But, when you have Ronaldo in your team, there is always that confidence and positive vibes. It didn’t take long before our voices thundered the stadium for the first time in the evening and all this happened just four minutes into the game when Ronaldo headed in Joao Moutinho’s cross.

It was special. I was up in the air and barely felt the pain in my joints which I had been carrying from a couple of days after long walks in Russia. The Portuguese fans went mad and they had the every right to do so.

Ronaldo! Ronaldo! Ronaldo. I just can’t stop loving him. His composure, his style anyone would agree that the 33-year-old striker is a complete warrior and a true leader. But though we got the early lead, it just killed the game for us as Portugal took the back seat. They went into defensive mode and never returned out of it.

We had our chances but I would say the Moroccon keeper was at his best to deny us our second.

Portuguese players played a by far horrible game. They just cleared the ball from the defence. They didn’t have much ball possession either. By far a lack lustre performance by the Portuguese team.

Morocco were clearly the better team, however, they had to pack their bags. Hope Portugal learn something from this match and get better against Iran.

It was our last match here and we expected more goals. The crowd was amazing, the Moroccans were behind their team.

The stadium attendance was brilliant, 78011 was the number, that’s the most I have ever seen in my life for any match. I attended the Portugal and Spain match too but these fans were far better.

It was only when I left the stadium that I learnt that Ronaldo broke Ferenc Puskas’ record for the most international goals by a European player on Wednesday. I guess the record was broken after 62 years. What more could one ask for. What more should he do to prove himself as the best?

Overall, it was an amazing time filled with loads of memories to take back. I had the time of my life. Want to see Portugal go all the way through. One thing to say Spasibo Russia, you were amazing.

(Mariano Fernandes shares the match moments and experience with Allan D'Cruz)