Bulgaria’s Despodov sent off for Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration just seconds after scoring opener against Croatia
BULGARIA’S Kiril Despodov was sent off for a Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration just seconds after scoring against Croatia.
The winger went from so right to so Ron with an over-the-top response to firing the opener in a 2-1 friendly defeat.
Having punished Croatia’s dozy defending, he was then penalised for his own dozy thinking.
Whipping off his top to salute his goal with a jump and a spin – a la Manchester United legend Ronaldo – earned him a second booking.
Why Despodov got quite so excited is quite a mystery.
But it was actually a red-card equaliser – as Croatia centre-back Duje Caleta-Car had been dismissed shortly before for two yellows.
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Perhaps Despodov was delighted to have stunned the hosts after Bulgaria missed World Cup qualification, whereas 2018 finalists Croatia made it through.
But whatever the reason for his antics, the Ludogorets Razgrad star managed to turn the match BOTH ways in the space of a minute.
Croatia dictated a goalless first half, with four of their 11 goal attempts on targets.
But Marseille’s Caleta-Car – the only Croatian to keep his starting place following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Slovenia – was dismissed on 63 minutes.
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Despodov sneaked through a hole in the home defence to fire Bulgaria in front six minutes later.
But Croatia stepped up a gear as subs Luka Modric and Andrej Kramaric clinched a comeback victory.
Real Madrid playmaker Modric levelled with a penalty after Kramaric was impeded.
And Hoffenheim hero Kramaric himself bagged an 80th minute solo winner.
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Meanwhile, Ronaldo will be aiming to keep his cool better than his tribute act Despodov as Portugal bid to clinch a World Cup spot on Tuesday night.
Ron starts alongside United team-mate Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Liverpool wideman Diogo Jota against North Macedonia in the play-off final.
Italy’s shock conquerors North Macedonia will reportedly pick up £500,000 should they complete an astonishing journey to the finals.
And Ronaldo said: “If we lose, we’re out. We have a responsibility to be positive and win the game.
“Macedonia surprised and did so in many games, but I think will not surprise us. Portugal will be better and we will go to the World Cup.”