Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping for a place in the starting eleven and a good game against Switzerland tonight after he was a substitute a few days ago in the match against Spain. Just as well, because CR7 is desperate to score and halt the five-game goalless run for his country.The Manchester United forward was misfiring in the games against the Republic of Ireland, Serbia, Turkey, North Macedonia and Spain. Apart from that last one, he played full minutes in all the others.Cristiano’s current goal drought in the national team is equal to his worst in a Portugal shirt – which dates back to 2012. At the time he did not score against Denmark, Germany, Turkey, North Macedonia and Poland.The last time Portugal faced Switzerland, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hattrick.The date? 5th June, 2019.Portugal faces Swtizerland yet again in the same competition today.The date? 5th June, 2022. 👀 pic.twitter.com/y1uNcOnaPS— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) June 5, 2022 Unless he finds the net tonight, he will enter the uncharted territory with the longest period without scoring for his country.Coach Fernando Santos didn’t want to confirm whether the legendary attacker will start, but the newspapers in Lisbon this morning expect him to field Ronaldo alongside Goncalo Guedes and Diogo Jota. The experienced tactician is spoilt for choice and can afford to pick and choose his team.”The math and stats will always be around Cristiano. When you have 26 players, not all of them will play. We’re in a free country, fortunately, so everyone is entitled to their opinion on who should play and who shouldn’t. I’m happy to have a very cohesive group where everyone is included. It makes the job easier for me and gives our team better prospects of success.”UEFA NATIONS LEAGUELEAGUE A, ROUND 1WednesdayPoland – Wales 2-1 (0-0)/Kaminski 72, Swiderski 85 – Williams 52/ThursdayCzech R. – Switzerland 2-1 (1-1)/Kuchta 11, Sow 58 og – Okafor 44/Spain – Portugal 1-1 (1-0)/Morata 25 – Horta 82/FridayBelgium – Netherlands 1-4 (0-1)/Batshuayi 90+3 – Bergwijn 40, Depay 51, 66, Dumfries 62/Croatia – Austria 0-3 (0-1)/Arnautovic 41, Gregoritsch 54, Sabitzer 57/France – Denmark 1-2 (0-0)/Benzema 51 – Cornelius 68, 88/SaturdayHungary – England 1-0 (0-0)/Szoboszlai 66 pen/Italy – Germany 1-1 (0-0)/Pellegrini 70 – Kimmich 73/Sunday21.45: (4.90) Czech R. (3.60) Spain (1.79)21.45: (1.79) Portugal (3.60) Switzerland (5.60)Monday21.45: (3.80) Croatia (3.50) France (2.14)21.45: (2.95) Austria (3.20) Denmark (2.55)Tuesday21.45: (2.50) Germany (3.20) England (3.15)21.45: (1.32) Italy (5.40) Hungary (12.0)Wednesday21.45: (5.20) Wales (3.60) Netherlands (1.80)21.45: (1.65) Belgium (3.80) Poland (6.25)***odds are subject to change
