Roberto Martínez and the National Ordeal

"I'm back, I'm back," Cristiano Ronaldo declared after another 90 minutes and two goals against Uzbekistan, ending a 10-game scoring drought in European Championship or World Cup finals. Following such a monumental achievement – thrashing the 60th-ranked team in FIFA, a nation not even 40 years independent – the national team captain was quick to speak with journalists.

It's a shame this rarely happens when dark clouds gather instead of sunshine, like after the dismal opener against DR Congo. And yesterday, to help millions of Portuguese understand why a team that vehemently claims it wants to be world champion delivered yet another deplorable performance. If Portugal is to succeed, it won't be like this, and the fault doesn't lie with journalists, pundits, or fans – those specialists in gossip who only want to divide a national team that, as we've seen, excels in unity and attitude on the field. Except when it's hot or they don't have possession.

After the opening 1-1 draw, I wrote that at least the warning had come early, leaving time to correct course, especially in a format where qualification for the knockout stage is possible even without winning a single group game. Days later, the fragile Uzbekistan arrived, and the 5-0 victory temporarily silenced those who have long called for Ronaldo's retirement, advocating for Gonçalo Ramos to get more than just a tourist's view and air miles, or questioning the Spanish coach's ability to manage a squad featuring some of the World Cup's best players, yet performing like one of the worst teams in the Round of 16. Any resemblance to much of Martínez's tenure in Belgium would be purely coincidental.

Portugal has won two (!) of its last six official matches – Armenia and Uzbekistan were the victims of this feat – and the national coach whistles past the graveyard. He claims Portugal "deserves congratulations" for their game against Colombia and even sees Diogo Costa being named Man of the Match in Miami as a positive.

It's a parallel reality, but not surprising: Roberto Martínez has been in charge for over three years, and for over three years, he's responded by circling the roundabout, pretending problems don't exist.

Even if they overcome Croatia, not even the most optimistic would believe that Portugal can succeed this way, with potential clashes against Spain in the Round of 16 and France in the semi-finals looming.