Cristiano Ronaldo had another off-day in a Portugal shirt, missing two easy chances against Denmark in Euro 2012, chances he would have normally buried with his eyes closed for Real Madrid.
Ronaldo is often compared to Lionel Messi and the duo is without a shadow of a doubt the world's two best players. Anything either player does, it invariably is compared to the other's exploits.
In Lviv on Wednesday, Ronaldo was constantly taunted by Danish supporters with chants of Messi, Messi, every time Ronaldo touched the ball.
Asked about the chanting, Ronaldo, clearly frustrated, said: "You know where he was at this time (last year)? Do you know? He was being eliminated in the Copa America, in his own country.
"I think that's worse, no?"
Argentina were eliminated in the Copa America last year, but only in the quarterfinals, although Messi did fail to make an impact.
Portuguese coach Paulo Bento came to Ronaldo's rescue. "He is a player of enormous ability who wasn't efficient in a couple of situations he found himself in.
"He's not under pressure from us, he's here to help us resolve our problems.
"I don't like talking about individuals after a match, I always analyse the team performance as a whole.
"We have put together two good performances against two good sides and we are on the right road and we will continue to score goals whether it is Cristiano or someone else.
"Is he wilting under the pressure? That is not my impression. He is under the same pressure as the other players, who want to contribute to victory."
Portugal and Real Madrid teammate Pepe, who scored his country's opening goal, also lent his support to Ronaldo. "Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world but even the best make mistakes, so we're here to support him.
"He's just one more player in the team, he can't carry Portugal on his back. It was his turn to make a mistake today but he helped make it possible for us to be here in the first place."
Nani, who had two assists in the game, said Ronaldo would eventually score. "Cristiano is okay, he is happy, we won the game, so there is nothing to worry about.
"Everyone misses chances. He had a great opportunity to score, he did not score, but we will have more games.
"Maybe he will score then. Cristiano does not play alone, he is very important to us, his work rate was very good in my opinion, because he helped in defence and attack."
