Ronaldo and Queiroz are both appearing at their fourth World Cup, as player and coach respectively, and their relationship dates back to the Portugal captain’s arrival as a teenager at Manchester United in 2003.

The 65-year-old served as Alex Ferguson’s assistant over two spells either side of a brief stint in charge of Real Madrid, the club Ronaldo joined in 2009 in a deal Queiroz helped facilitate.

But their relationship soured following a second-round exit to Spain at the 2010 World Cup, after which Ronaldo suggested Queiroz was to blame for the defeat.

Portugal then crashed out in the group stage four years ago in Brazil, but Ronaldo is single-handedly leading their quest in Russia with all four of his team’s goals so far.

“Our expectation is to continue our work and try to improve in the group phase,” Ronaldo said after his early strike over Morocco left Portugal level on four points with Spain at the top of Group B.

“We’re almost there (knockout stages) and then we’ll see.”

Ronaldo is level with Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku in the race for the golden boot, leaving eternal rival Lionel Messi in the dust as Argentina scrap to stay in the competition.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos compared his talisman to a bottle of “Port wine”, marvelling at the 33-year-old’s ability to refine his game with age.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, the former Argentina midfielder, even indicated he would prefer to have Ronaldo rather than Messi in his team.

“Messi is very good, but it is clear that he is very good because he is surrounded by extraordinary players (at Barcelona),” Simeone said, in an audio recording published by Spanish media outlets.

“The question I ask is if you have to choose between Messi and Ronaldo in a normal team, who would you choose?”

Portugal defender Pepe, a long-time team-mate of Ronaldo’s at Real, said it was a “privilege” for the country to have a player such as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

– ‘Match point’ –

“He is getting better every year,” Manchester City winger Bernardo Silva opined after Ronaldo’s hat-trick in an opening 3-3 draw with Spain.

“People were waiting for him to get old and play worse, but he is only improving.”

Ronaldo scored a late penalty to seal a 2-0 win over Iran when the two sides last met, at the 2006 World Cup, and Portugal will hope for further inspiration from the second highest goalscorer in international history.

The European champions could be without midfielder Joao Moutinho after he sat out training again Saturday due to illness, although left-back Raphael Guerreiro is expected to shake off a leg problem.

Portugal need a draw to be sure of a place in the knockout phase, with either hosts Russia or Uruguay awaiting them in the next round should they advance.

“We have the level to do well. We believe in what we’re doing and we’ve had a pretty good start to this competition, but there is room for improvement,” added centre-back Jose Fonte.

Iran, who beat Morocco 1-0 before falling to Spain by the same scoreline, must beat Portugal to reach the latter stages of the World Cup for the first time.

Queiroz, who also took South Africa to the 2002 finals, called it “the most interesting and important match in my seven years with Iran”.

“We will keep on working for our dreams, and our dream is to try and qualify for the second round,” he said after Wednesday’s loss to Spain.

“We know it will be difficult, but as I said before we came here and didn’t expect easy things.

“Against Portugal, it will be match point for us.”

Djokovic has endured a barren 12 months due to a combination of a nagging elbow injury last year and poor form in 2018.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion is more accustomed to fighting for the sport’s biggest prizes.

But, in a sign of how far he has fallen, Djokovic claimed reaching the final of the Wimbledon warm-up event at Queen’s is a significant milestone on his road to recovery.

Not since he won the grass-court event at Eastbourne 12 months ago has Djokovic made it to the last day of a tournament.

So the 31-year-old’s 7-6 (7/5,) 6-4 victory over France’s Jeremy Chardy in the semi-finals meant a lot to the Serb.

“It feels great, first one since Eastbourne. So it’s been a year. It is a special moment for me,” he said.

“Obviously I have been hoping to get here and working hard for it.

“So now that I get a chance to fight for a trophy in one of the biggest tournaments on the grass court season, it means a lot to me.

“I’m really pleased with the way I have played throughout the whole week.”

Amid repeated suggestions he had lost his desire for success since completing his career Grand Slam at the 2016 French Open, Djokovic has seemed to be searching for motivation in recent months.

He has played his way back into form with four successive wins in his first appearance at Queen’s since 2010.

He traditionally opts to play only exhibition matches before Wimbledon, but the lawns of Barons Court have proved reinvigorating.

– Stern test –

With Wimbledon starting on July 2, Djokovic is relishing the prospect of going into a tournament he has won three times with a trophy under his belt.

Given his 14-1 career record against Cilic, he will be favoured to beat the Croatian top seed.

But Cilic has been in superb form this week and Djokovic knows he will pose a stern test on Sunday.

“It’s quite different playing him on grass,” he said.

We have played in Wimbledon, but he’s just a different player, I think.

“In last couple of years he’s been in the form of his life and reaching his highest ranking in a career. And finals of Wimbledon, finals of Australian Open.

“You know, he’s probably been playing the best that he’s ever played. Grass court suits him very well. He just has a big game overall.”

Cilic won 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) in the other semi-final against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios.

Now the former US Open champion is hoping to go one better after losing the Queen’s final to Feliciano Lopez 12 months ago.

That match was decided by a final set tie-break and the 2012 Queen’s winner is determined to make amends.

“The motivation is still there, it’s quite big. It’s a 500 (points) and big tournament to get ready for Wimbledon,” he said.

“I don’t have regrets for last year, if that’s what you’re asking.

“I gave it my best on the court. My match was decided by one point. Feliciano played amazing tennis.

“You know, it’s great for me again that I’m here and giving myself another shot.”

Hernandez became the first Mexican player to score 50 goals for his country, after 104 appearances, with Vela earlier opening the scoring through yet another penalty kick.

Son Heung-min’s stunning long-range effort in stoppage time gave South Korea a glimmer of hope but it was too little too late.

Mexico lead Group F on six points after two games, having backed up their shock victory against Germany with another display to suggest they can go deep in this tournament.

“Sometimes against teams that have less of a footballing tradition than the biggest nations, you can tend to rest on your laurels and lose concentration,” Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said.

“But it was a deserved victory. We are very happy and we share that with the whole of the country.”

South Korea, beaten by a Sweden penalty in their first match, had their chances but again lacked cutting edge up front.

Yet to register a single point in Russia, they are left needing a miracle to progress.

After 28 games at the World Cup, there have now been 14 spot-kicks, 11 of them converted, and there could be little complaint about this one, coming after a blatant handball by Jang Hyun-soo, Vela stepping up to convert.

In temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), Mexico were rewarded for another controlled performance that combined possession in midfield with pace and penetration in attack. Hirving Lozano, the match-winner against Germany, was excellent again in particular.

– ‘We lack experience’ –

Osario complained about a lack of protection for his players, who were fouled 24 times in the match.

“For the good of football and talented players, I hope the referees will take responsibility,” he said.

South Korea coach Shin Tae-Yong said his team “lacked experience” at international level.

“We have systemic problems. We must think how we can improve our domestic league and work with young players. We lack experience. That doesn’t come overnight.”

“But we have no regrets.”

Before Mexico’s opening goal, however, it was South Korea that created the better chances.

Only a brilliant saving tackle from Lozano denied Lee Yong tapping in at the back post before Son saw three quick-fire shots come to nothing.

But Mexico’s penalty in the 27th minute was clear. Jang tried to block Andres Guardado’s cross but inexplicably slid with his arm outstretched above him and the ball struck the defender’s hand.

Vela was made to wait by goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, who played for time by swigging his water and chatting to his team-mates, but there was no mistake. Vela slid home.

The game became more open in the second half as South Korea perhaps pushed too hard too soon, and it was little surprise when Mexico doubled their lead.

They were fortunate not to concede a foul for a clear trip by Hector Herrera in the build-up but Lozano found Hernandez and the striker did the rest. His dummy-shot fooled the lunging Jang before a scuffed finish rolled past Jo.

Son should have capitalised on a Rafael Marquez mistake late on but made amends in the 93rd minute with a fabulous effort that soared into the corner. Mexico, however, held on.

The 10-man reigning champions were in deep trouble when Kroos stepped up to steer in his dramatic winner in the final minute of added time at Sochi’s Fisht Stadium.

Before that, a Kroos error had led to Ola Toivonen giving Sweden a 32nd-minute lead and even a Marco Reus equaliser early in the second half appeared to be only a temporary stay of execution for Loew’s men.

But the rescue act from Kroos is a huge lift to a side who saw Jerome Boateng sent off late on. They now have qualification for the last 16 back in their own hands ahead of their final Group F game against South Korea on Wednesday.

“We never lost hope. I think there was a bit of luck there with the goal scored in stoppage time, but it was a result of our belief in ourselves,” said Loew.

“Despite the adversity, the team kept their cool and turned it around.”

There is still no guarantee that they will avoid the fate of the last two World Cup holders, with Spain four years ago and Italy in 2010 both being knocked out in the group stage.

Not since 1938 have Germany been eliminated in the first round. However, this result will provide an almighty boost to them and is a hammer blow to Sweden, who will face Mexico in their last match with all still to play for.

Mexico’s 2-1 win over South Korea earlier Saturday had ensured Germany would be out in the event of a defeat, with a draw little better.

The late goal was especially sweet for Kroos, who was among the players to come in for stiff criticism in the wake of recent performances.

“We were criticised a lot, justifiably so in part, and a lot of people in Germany would have been pleased if we had gone out today,” he said.

Loew made changes following the 1-0 loss at the hands of Mexico, with Reus among the players coming in. But Germany soon found themselves up against it.

– Sweden denied penalty –

Sweden should have had an early penalty when Marcus Berg was released on goal and, at the point of shooting, was fouled by Boateng.

Berg’s effort was saved by Manuel Neuer. Boateng played the man and not the ball, but there was no penalty given and no recourse to the Video Assistant Referee by Polish official Szymon Marciniak.

“If we have the system it’s very unfortunate that he doesn’t feel he can go and have a look. If that’s his decision we have to live with it,” said Sweden coach Janne Andersson.

It was still a warning for the Germans, who were then dealt a body blow — literally — when Rudy was left with a bloodied nose after receiving a stray boot in the face.

Ilkay Gundogan replaced him, coming in alongside Kroos, who was at fault as Sweden went in front.

His pass was pounced upon by the Swedes, who sprung forward, Viktor Claesson picking out Toivonen to control on his chest and lift the ball over Neuer.

However, it took just three minutes of the second half for the equaliser to arrive.

Timo Werner’s low ball from the left was behind Mario Gomez, who got a touch but not enough to put off Reus from bundling it in.

An onslaught followed, with Gomez twice coming close and fellow substitute Julian Brandt smacking a post late on. Boateng had already walked by then, seeing a second yellow in the 82nd minute for a foul on Berg.

Hope looked to be gone, but then Kroos exchanged passes with Reus at a free-kick on the left edge of the box and sent a sweet strike into the far corner, sparking wild celebrations.

“The fact Toni put it away like that is incredible — he has shown that talent on previous occasions. I pay my respect to him for doing what he did,” said Reus.

The Asian giants, who drafted in Akira Nishino as coach just weeks before the World Cup, find themselves surprisingly top of Group H after beating Colombia 2-1 in their opener.

Victory over Senegal would virtually seal a place in the last 16 and Nishino said his unfancied side will go for the jugular.

But he is wary of the African side’s pace and power. In Liverpool forward Mane, the Africans have a player who can win a match on his own.

Japan will have some information on Mane from defender Maya Yoshida, a former teammate of Mane’s at Southampton before the forward moved to Anfield in 2016.

Nishino said that all of Japan’s players had been briefed about how to stop the 26-year-old dangerman.

“It is not just Yoshida, but all the players we are giving them information about Mane, though I am sure he will be in some duels with Mane,” Nishino said on Saturday.

“I am sure we can deal with him but with the contribution that Mane can make, it might be possible to mark him one on one or even three on one.

“It is possible to stop him but the trouble is that he has influence too on other players, and that is what we are concerned about.”

The Japanese were widely written off when Nishino was rushed in as coach in April following the sacking of Vahid Halilhodzic, leaving him precious little time to prepare for Russia.

Japan stunned 10-man Colombia to take charge of Group H and Nishino revealed that some of his players had wanted to settle for a draw after 45 minutes with the scores locked at 1-1.

“At half time some of the players were saying ‘We have done enough, we can settle for a draw.’

“But I said that we could win and we will win so we went for victory and that is why I gave them attacking tactics and that is why we are top of the group,” said Nishino.

“I always say the second match is the deciding match and we have to win, no matter who we play.

“We need to earn maximum points. Even if it is slightly risky we want to attack and try to win.”

The Swiss needs to win the title on Sunday – it would be his tenth at the event – to remain world number one heading into Wimbledon.

He will face Croatian Borna Coric who advanced 2-3 when Spanish fourth seed Roberto Bautista Agut had to retire after slipping on the grass and injuring himself.

Federer has beaten Coric in both of their previous matches, the latest an Indian Wells semi-final in March .

Federer’s win was his 20th in a row on grass, dating to June, 2017.

Federer needed just under 90 minutes to get the job done and hold off the 109th-ranked Kulda, who had not lost a set going into the semi-final.

Federer is back in a familiar spot in Halle, which models its Centre court after its namesake at the All England club, as he works to fine-tune with a Wimbledon title defence starting a week from Monday.

The 36-year-old has reached the final four in each of his last 14 Halle appearances.

Taming Kulda was no easy task, with Federer losing a break after taking an early 2-0 lead.

The first set went into a tiebreaker where the 20-time Grand Slam winner was able to step his game up a gear, racing to 6-0 in the decider and taking it two points later with his seventh ace.

The top-seeded Swiss kept the pressure on Kudla in the second, with the qualifier saving break points before Federer salvaged three of his own to square the set at four games apiece, sealing his effort with an ace, one of his dozen in the match

Federer gained the crucial service break for a 6-5 lead as Kudla returned long, and the Swiss closed out the victory a game later on the first of two match points.

Federer skipped the clay campaign to concentrate on the grass, and after consecutive tournaments on the lawns – he won the Stuttgart title last week – plans a light week of training and rest in London ahead of Wimbledon.

The victory leaves the Red Devils top of Group G with two wins ahead of their clash on Thursday against England, who play Panama on Sunday.

After also scoring twice in the opening 3-0 win against Panama, Manchester United’s Lukaku showed clinical finishing with two first-half goals in Moscow, matching Ronaldo’s tally in Russia.

Not to be outdone, Belgium captain Eden Hazard scored in either half, including an early penalty at the Spartak Stadium, before substitute Michy Batshuayi added their fifth.

Tunisia’s consolation goals came from defender Dylan Bronn and captain Wahbi Khazri.

The Belgians were criticised by coach Roberto Martinez for starting slowly against Panama in their first group match but flew out of the blocks in Moscow.

Hazard — having been on the receiving end of some bruising tackles in Belgium’s opener — was sent tumbling after just five minutes but converted the penalty to open his Russian account.

Midfielder Ferjani Sassi picked up an early booking for complaining when Tunisia’s appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears, just before Belgium added their second goal.

Ali Maaloul’s weak pass on the halfway line was collected by Dries Mertens, who sprinted away and put Lukaku clear.

The striker coolly hit his shot inside the far post, just past the outstretched glove of Tunisia keeper Farouk Ben Mustapha, in the 16th minute.

Tunisia responded two minutes later, Bronn leaping highest to head home a free-kick from his skipper Khazri on 18 minutes, only to be later carried off after landing awkwardly following a collision.

With half-time approaching, the Belgians grabbed their third goal.

After earlier squandering two clear chances created by Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku converted his third opportunity just before the half-time whistle.

Thomas Meunier put him in behind the defence and Lukaku tucked his shot away, celebrating with De Bruyne, who started the move.

The Manchester City midfield maestro turned provider again after the break for Hazard.

The Chelsea star sprinted onto De Bruyne’s lofted pass, held off two defenders, rounded keeper Ben Mustapha and tapped home Belgium’s fourth goal in the 51st minute.

With one eye on the England game, Martinez took off Lukaku, then Hazard as the half wore on and for the final 22 minutes brought on Batshuayi, who could have scored five.

The Borussia Dortmund forward had a chance cleared off the line, was twice denied by Ben Mustapha’s saves and hit the crossbar, finally converting a cross for Belgium’s fifth goal.

Tunisia captain Khazri grabbed their second goal just before the final whistle of their second defeat in Russia.

Teeing off a stroke behind overnight co-leaders Lynn Carlsson of Sweden and Pauline Del Rosario of the Philippines, Kanyalak traded two birdies with two bogeys on the front nine before coming back with spectacular putting that rewarded her with four birdies and an eagle on the 13th hole.

The 20-year-old Thai leads on 12 under-par-204, followed by “Dutch Bomber” Anne Van Dam, who had a 71 for a total of eight under-par-208.

“I played better than in the first two rounds as I hit the fairways more. My putts never let me down as usual,” said the Chonburi-based who spent a week training at the course ahead of the tournament.

She is now vying for her biggest win after two career victories a Thai LPGA title and a China LPGA title last year.

“I really want to win for my parents as I came close several times this year,” she added. “This is a big and a home tournament. I will stick to my game plan as usual, which is to enjoy the golf game. As long as you are happy with what you are doing, you are bound to come up with good results.”

Van Dam will try to rely on her big-hitting game to make up lost ground but will need to end a long winless streaking stretching back two years.

Nakhon Ratchasima-born Chonlada Chayanan is another Thai contender after furing a 68 for a total 209 to be tied for third with South Korea amateur Selin Hyun (69) and Swede Carlsson (72).

TrueSport 667 will broadcast live coverage of the event from midday.

Xherdan Shaqiri’s last minute winner capped an impressive comeback for the Swiss in an eventful Group E encounter in Kaliningrad after Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka levelled following Aleksandar Mitrovic’s opener.

Both Shaqiri and Xhaka trace their roots back to Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, a fact that stoked tensions before and during Friday’s clash.

Both Shaqiri and Xhaka pointedly celebrated scoring by making a ‘double eagle’ gesture with their hands representing the Kosovo flag, viewed as a symbol of defiance.

Although the win puts Switzerland in pole position to make it out of a tough group containing five-times winners Brazil, Petkovic was unimpressed with his players’ celebrations.

“You should never mix politics and football, it’s good to be a fan and important to show respect,” he told reporters after the game.

“It’s clear that emotions surface. I think on and off the pitch we need to steer away from politics in football and we should focus on this as a sport that brings people together.”

Shaqiri had been booed relentlessly by Serbia fans throughout a high-quality match, but the Stoke City forward had the last laugh with his last ditch winner.

“In football you have always emotions and you can see what I did and it’s just emotion,” he said in reference to his controversial celebration.

“I’m very happy to score the goal, that’s all.”

Xhaka, whose 52rd-minute piledriver set up the Swiss comeback, also made the “double eagle” gesture after his goal.

His father, an ethnic Albanian, was imprisoned in Serbia in the 1980s.

Earlier, Serbia had started brightly, anchored by Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic and causing the Swiss defence problems down the right flank in the form of Southampton winger Dusan Tadic.

Mitrovic too looked lively, winning header after header over the Swiss centre backs and he opened the scoring on five minutes with an emphatic finish off an exquisite cross from Tadic.

Switzerland, who came to Russia ranked ahead of the likes of France and Spain, felt their way into the game as the first-half progressed.

On the half-hour mark, Steven Zuber cleverly teed up Blerim Dzemaili but the Hoffenheim man got his feet in a muddle and Vladimir Stojkovic was able to parry away.

Serbia could have gone in two goals to the good at the break but Matic missed a glorious chance when Tadic’s in-swinging corner found him unmarked at the back post but he couldn’t sort his feet out.

– ‘Winning mentality’ –

Switzerland grew in stature after the break and were rewarded with a spectacular equaliser courtesy of Xhaka’s left foot.

They had the better chances in the second period, with Shaqiri’s curling effort from the edge of the area grazing Stojkovic’s bar on the hour mark.

Petkovic brought on attackers Breel Embolo and Mario Gavranovic in search of a winner, and Gavranovic forced a smart save from Stojkovic from a close range effort with 10 minutes remaining.

But it was Shaqiri who struck the decisive blow, breaking through Serbia’s offside trap to slot home calmly as the 90 minutes wound down.

“We lost our bearings a little in the first half but we bounced back,” said Petkovic.

“What is important is that we’ve developed this winning mentality. Even when we are down we keep our heads up and try to win every game.”

Switzerland now need only a draw against Costa Rica in their final Group E match, while Serbia need at least a point against Brazil to reach the knockout stages for the first time.

“From day one when we saw the group draw many thought that Brazil was the favourite,” said Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic.

“We need a win and we will focus and do whatever we can to try and do that.”

The Leicester City striker, currently on loan at CSKA Moscow, became the first Nigerian to score at two World Cups as the Super Eagles secured a crucial win over Iceland, who missed a penalty.

He scored both goals in Nigeria‘s group stage 3-2 defeat to Argentina in Porto Alegre, Brazil, four years ago and is relishing the chance to do it again.

But this time he hopes it will knock out the South Americans.

“I think scoring against Argentina isn’t that difficult for me,” he smiled after his man-of-the-match performance in Volgograd. “We know the importance of the game. It’s do or die.”

The African side will secure a spot in the knockout stage alongside Croatia if they beat Argentina.

A draw would be enough to eliminate the Argentines but would leave Nigeria‘s fate resting on the outcome of Iceland’s game against Croatia which kicks off at the same time.

Musa also scored twice for Leicester in a 4-2 pre-season friendly defeat against Messi-inspired Barcelona two years ago and said he always scores when up against the Argentine superstar.

“I can remember four years ago when Messi played in Brazil I scored two goals,” he recalled.

“And when I transferred to Leicester I played against Barcelona and he’s on the pitch and I scored another two goals.

“So I think next game anything can happen — possibly I’m going to score another two goals,” he laughed.

– Fighting spirit –

Nigeria coach Gerhot Rohr was full of praise for his side, who are the youngest at this World Cup, especially the way they came out firing in the second half after Iceland put them under the pump in the first 45 minutes.

“What I like in my young team is humility, solidarity and fighting spirit. I thought before this World Cup we were here to learn,” said the German.

“I think this team will be ready in 2022 and this World Cup is coming early, but we have a good chance to win against Argentina.”

Musa, who came into the starting line-up in place of Alex Iwobi, announced himself in magnificent style with two of the goals of the tournament.

Musa’s sweetly struck half-volley fired Nigeria into the lead just after half-time before he added a second with 15 minutes to go to make the game safe.

Iceland got a lifeline in the 82nd minute with a VAR-awarded penalty but dead-ball specialist Gylfi Sigurdsson blazed over the bar.

With Croatia heading the group on six points Nigeria knew a second defeat would mean elimination but now qualification is in their own hands.

Iceland started brightest but Nigeria, with captain John Obi Mikel sitting deeper in midfield than the defeat against Croatia, slowly worked their way into the game as Victor Moses posed a constant threat on the right flank.

Rohr brought on wing-back Tyronne Ebuehi for Bryan Idowu at the start of the second half and Nigeria came out full of running.

The tireless Moses was released down the right and his cross was met by Musa who teed up the ball deftly with the outside of his right foot before unleashing an unstoppable half-volley into the roof of the net.

Musa made the game safe with a breathless second, controlling a long ball without breaking stride, beating Kari Arnason then rounding Halldorsson before powering his shot past two covering defenders on the line.