Cristiano Ronaldo DID NOT score Portugal’s first goal against Uruguay, adidas’ sensor confirms

Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t touch the ball for Portugal’s opener in their 2-0 victory over Uruguay, according to “highly accurate” data from a sensor in the match ball.

There is much debate over whether Ronaldo, who claimed the goal for himself and even texted Piers Morgan to confirm it, managed to apply even the slightest touch to Bruno Fernandes’ cross.

FIFA awarded the goal to Fernandes, but the talisman striker is convinced he should have got it. Now Adidas have provided clear evidence that the striker’s former Man United teammate has been rightly credited.

Adidas used technology in the ball to tell if Bruno Fernandes scored against Uruguay

There was no touch from the striker, who claimed the goal but was denied by FIFA

Ronaldo drove off in celebration with his arm raised and celebrated the scoring

An Adidas statement read: ‘In the match between Portugal and Uruguay, using the Connected Ball technology housed in adidas’ Al Rihla Official Match Ball, we are able to definitively show no contact with Cristiano’s ball Ronaldo for the opening goal in the match.

No external force on the ball could be measured, as evidenced by the lack of ‘heartbeat’ in our measurements and in the accompanying image.

“The 500Hz IMU sensor in the ball allows us to be very accurate in our analysis.”

The ball found the far corner of the net to give Portugal the lead on Monday

To the naked eye it looked as if Ronaldo had put the ball in the net and timed his run perfectly in the second half to break the deadlock.

He rolled off to the left and celebrated like he’d scored his second of the tournament, but then replays threw a spanner in the works.

Closer inspection showed no variation in the trajectory of the ball, although it was almost impossible to tell if he had brushed the hair on Ronaldo’s head.

Fans were divided on who should be credited, but Adidas data provides a clear answer.

Images of the cross being hit show a clear deviation from the impact of the line measurement, there is still a significant bounce when the ball hits the ground, but nothing when the ball passes Ronaldo’s head, showing that he did not make contact after all has made.

Portugal went on to win the game 2-0, but Ronaldo was still annoyed he didn’t get it

The 37-year-old cheered wildly, convinced or tried to convince others of his header

At the time, even Fernandes, who later added a second from the penalty spot, thought the opener belonged to Ronaldo.

He said: “I don’t think it really matters at this point who scored the goal.

“The feeling I had then was that Cristiano hit the ball. I passed the ball to him.

“But the most important thing was that we won against a very strong opponent tonight.

“The importance of being first in the group also means that we win the next game, which means we can come out of the group unbeaten. That’s what we want.

“We have a well-organized team in front of us on Friday and our aim is to take it game by game.”