StoryFernando Santos explains why Cristiano Ronaldo started on the bench against Andorra

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo was not 100 percent fit for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Andorra.


The Euro 2016 champions faced a must-win game at the Estadi Nacional, and they managed to secure a 2-0 victory in the second-half courtesy of goals from Ronaldo and Andre Silva.

Speaking to RTP, after the game Santos admitted that there were many factors behind Ronaldo's exclusion from the starting line-up, he said: "I thought a lot. I thought, well, Ronaldo did not train 100 per cent in two of the days of work. There were many factors that led to this decision. Games are complicated, I tried to manage and do what was best. Whether it was questionable or not, we ended up winning and that's what matters. We knew it was going to be difficult and it was notable the team had difficulties adapting to the pitch, and then with their defence very close, [we were] lacking momentum."

The 32-year-old has had a mixed start to his Real Madrid career this season with a suspension in the Spanish Super Cup forcing him to miss the opening four games of the La Liga campaign. Ronaldo has yet to open the scoresheet in the Spanish top-flight this term, but he managed to turn the game around against a resolute Andorran defence last night.

The victory keeps Portugal three points behind leaders Switzerland in their group but a win at Lisbon on Tuesday night will secure them an automatic World Cup berth. Meanwhile, Switzerland have carried the perfect record through the nine games in the qualification phase, and this feat has only been matched by Germany, who ended their group with a full tally of 30 points.

Portugal are largely dependent on the partnership of Andre Silva and Ronaldo to produce the goods, and they will require the pair in top form versus a Swiss side, who have performed above their early expectations.