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The quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup featured a repeat matchup from the quarterfinals of the 2004 Euros. Portugal versus England. Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney. It was a meeting of European star power with a semifinal spot on the line.
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Rooney and Ronaldo knew each other well as teammates with Manchester United. That meant the Portugal star understood how to push Rooney’s buttons and make him react.
The goalless match was altered in the 62nd minute when Rooney and Ricardo Carvalho were battling for a ball in midfield. As Carvalho fell to the ground, Rooney attempted to keep his balance. While doing so, he stamped on Carvalho’s groin area. Instantly, Argentinian official Horacio Elizondo whistled for a foul.
Enter Ronaldo.
Rooney’s club teammate sprinted over to confront Elizondo. As players gathered in the area, Rooney gave Ronaldo a push away from the area. That’s when Elizondo decided to show England’s talisman a red card.
“I don’t regret what I did,” Ronaldo said years later. “Because, you know, when you play for your country, you defend your colors. So, I didn’t do nothing bad.”
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“If it’s the other way around, I would have done exactly the same,” Rooney would later say. “He’s playing for Portugal. I’m playing for England. We want to win, and he’s obviously the same.”
Ronaldo further enraged England supporters when he gave a wink to the bench as he was walking toward the sideline.
via BBC Sport
(BBC)
The game would require penalties, which went the way of Portugal. Ronaldo scored the clinching penalty.
“I spoke to Ronaldo right after the game in the tunnel and no issue whatsoever,” Rooney said. “I just said good luck for the semifinal.”
Portugal’s World Cup run would come to an end in the semifinals with a 1-0 defeat to eventual runners-up France.
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The dust-up would not have a lasting effect between the two players. Rooney and Ronaldo returned to Manchester United and helped the club win the first of three straight Premier League titles. They would also lift the Champions League trophy in 2008.
