Portugal vs. Sweden: 6 Things We Learned

Portugal vs. Sweden in the World Cup playoffs was always going to be billed as Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Zlatan Ibrahimovich.

Much of the lead up to this game surrounded which one of the two footballing superstars would not be boarding the plane to Brazil next summer.

The Swede certainly wasn't short of an opinion on the matter, per ESPN:

"

I think that the World Cup needs Zlatan more than Ronaldo.

The excitement I can bring to the game and the goals I can score—nobody can rival me for that. I believe the fans would want to see me there above anybody.

I respect him as a player—there is no question he is one of the best.

I just need to make sure I do everything over the next two games to make sure that it is him who misses out and not myself.

"

Let's take a look at who fared the better over the first 90 minutes.

The Importance of Raul Meireles

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Raul Meireles was the go-to man for the home side.

The pre-match hype was all about the two team captains, but it was Portugal's Raul Meireles who stole the show.

His combative presence in the centre of the midfield was just what the home side required, and his distribution—mainly into space in the right channels—allowed the likes of Joao Moutinho and Joao Pereira to raid on a consistent basis.

It was Meireles' delicious first-time pass to Moutinho that gave Portugal their best chance of the first half after five minutes. 

His work-rate easily outshone that of any of his teammates.

Portugal's Defensive Nervousness

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Pepe showed signs of nervousness early in the game.

You could sense what was at stake in this game through the early nervousness of the home side.

As Sweden applied the pressure via the counterattack, even the normally assured Pepe was caught out on more than one occasion at the back.

Clearances were rushed, and as such, the impetus was given straight back to the visitors, who failed to take advantage.

Diving

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Nani was up to his old tricks.

There's nothing more unprofessional in the modern game than diving. 

And there was a plethora of it this evening, mainly from the home side. Ronaldo is often accused of simulation and he certainly lived up to that reputation when winning a free kick in the first half.

His old Manchester United colleague Nani also tried to score top marks with his double twist with pike. 

As we edged toward the end of the first half, we saw players from both sides hitting the deck at the slightest touch.

Perhaps the worst of the lot was Sweden's Johan Elmander's ridiculous tumble to try and earn his side a late penalty.

Not really the Queensberry Rules, is it chaps?

One Up Front for Sweden

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Zlatan Ibrahimovich ploughed a lone furrow up front for Sweden.

We saw within the first few minutes how the away side would combat Portugal's speed in attack.

By just leaving Ibrahimovich on his own up front, Erik Hamren ensured that his midfield five was close enough to the back four to hardly allow any space for the home side to attack in tightly-packed channels.

Ronaldo, in particular, was kept very quiet as he struggled to get a foothold in the match. In fact, it was the 48th minute before we saw the Ballon d'Or contender get the opportunity to travel with the ball.

It was a frustrating tactic for the men in red to combat, but it also meant a quiet night for Ibra, with much of the play condensed in the middle third of the pitch.

Quiet Night for Ronaldo, but Still Decisive

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Ronaldo's influence was virtually non-existent.

If there was anyone that the Portuguese public would've looked to provide the spark to ignite the game, it would be their captain.

His influence in the game was minimal until late, evidence that Sweden got their tactics spot on.

As the clock wound down, we saw signs of frustration from Ronaldo. A head-to-head movement toward Mikael Lustig was luckily not picked up by the officials and not long afterwards, he left his foot in to take out Swedish goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson.

However, you can never discount the player from having a say, and he did with a wonderful late diving header to give his side the advantage going into the second leg.

His trademark leap at the far post almost got him a late second, but his header crashed back off of the crossbar.

Both Teams Happy?

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The tie hangs in the balance.

Both managers should be happy with the outcome of this match.

Sweden are more than capable of taking the tie to the visitors in the second leg, and the only disappointment for them would've been allowing Ronaldo to give Portugal a slender advantage, given how well they had defended to that point.

There will need to be a much more attacking mindset from Erik Hamren's men in the second leg if they are to progress, but with home advantage, it is fair to expect this to be the case.

Portugal will come to attack, and it should make for a more exciting game than the one we saw tonight.