It was billed as Cristiano Ronaldo vs Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Tyus Jones Jersey . Two superstars in the game head-to-head on a billboard and then on the field. One winner goes to the World Cup in Brazil; the loser stays home. It is a duel and a plot that would make Don King, Dana White or Vince McMahon weak at the knees. The trio would likely remove the 20 extras placed on the pitch for a real one-on-one duel but this was not solely about entertainment. Not in leg one of the two-legged affair, anyway. The Estadio de Luz in Lisbon was the stage, with two main characters in it, but it was always going to be more than just the two captains. At least for most of the game. We were sold on Ronaldo vs Ibra but the moment the matchup started it turned into an 11-man tag team match. Their faces would never appear on billboards but captains Ronaldo and Ibra tapped in others to attempt to gain a vital advantage for their team. Right back Joao Pereira had his moment in the middle of the ring, given constant space down the right flank, thanks to a Swedish narrow back four by design, to target Martin Olsson, while midfielders Joao Moutinho and Raul Meireles dictated the tempo in midfield enjoying an extra man against Sweden wanting to play a man closer to their talisman, Ibrahimovic. The man with that responsibility was Johan Elmander, known more these days for his work rate rather than his goals (never a good thing for a striker), but next to the PSG man he provided a comfort blanket. Swedish coach Erik Hamren will have had nightmares of his team playing a 9-0-1 system with Ibrahimovic as disconnected to his team-mates as he is in overall talent. Ibra would tap Elmander into the theatre to sit defensively on Miguel Veloso and provide an aerial, physical threat that would create more space for himself. At times it worked but at halftime, with the game scoreless, the stats showed just what everyone, other than the aggressive promoters, knew too well. Ronaldos 23 touches ranked ninth on his team with only his goalkeeper and ineffective striker, Helder Postiga, less involved. Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, was involved even less, touching it just 17 times, and more than just three of his teammates. With so much on the line, it was predictably cagey. Ronaldo hit a free kick into a wall, at the other end Ibrahimovic stood over one for Sweden before tapping Kim Kallstrom into the ring and the left footed midfielder blasted the ball inches wide of the top left post. The Swedes offered the flanks to Portugal and they gladly took them. It allowed Pereira and left back Fabio Coentrao to play larger parts than they have for their clubs this season but it also forced Ronaldo and Nani inside, to play closer to the front man, and that made it easier to defend against, particularly with the ineffective Manchester United winger often giving the ball away. The first 45 minutes was average and the next 35 was even worse. Sweden got deeper and deeper, hoping for a sucker punch from a set piece, but this Portugal side is too mature for that. What the Ronaldo vs Ibra hype monsters failed to recognize was this Portugal team is comfortable when Ronaldo isnt involved. The midfield three have an understanding on how to control a game and their two centre backs rarely make a mistake and are far too experienced and talented to be overawed by the presence of Ibrahimovic. Ronaldo is used to letting his team do the work until he pounces. Four years ago in a World Cup playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Real Madrid man missed both legs through injury. His place in the World Cup lay in the hands of his teammates and they delivered. Two years ago, again in a playoff against Bosnia, Portugal were resolute in a 0-0 first leg away from home before coming home and allowing the brilliant Ronaldo to start a 6-2 onslaught with a trademark free kick goal. At the European Championships last summer, Ronaldo was poor against Denmark in the group stage but his team won at the death 3-2. They waited for the genius to step up and he did exactly that, with brilliant performances against the Dutch and Czechs, carrying his team to a semifinal against Spain where they matched the World Champions in all departments except penalties. That day in Donetsk, Ronaldo chose to be the fifth taker in the shootout and, uncharacteristically, his teammates let him down. Ronaldo couldnt save them that time, denied a penalty in a 4-2 shootout loss. Portugal has never done things the easy way and thats why they found themselves, once again, on show against Zlatan and his 10 extras in Lisbon on Friday night. It appeared the game was heading towards a drab 0-0 until Portugal found space again down the left flank. Veloso, this time, was the man on the wing, taking a fast throw in, creating a quick one-two with substitute Hugo Almeida, before sending in a delicious ball that needed a brave run and head on the end of it. As the ball swung dangerously into the six yard box, the main character had his big moment in the plot. Ronaldo brushed aside Olsson, getting his head to the ball and sending it into the net for the games only goal. At a similar time to his headed winner against the Czechs at last summers European Championships, Ronaldo had done it once again, delivering the key blow of the game and, possibly, the knockout blow in the matchup. It was a fitting moment. Portugal is too often criticized for not being good enough for Ronaldo but they are certainly good enough to provide him with yet another big platform to deliver on and that is why it is important they advance over Sweden in this playoff. A common thought heading into this game was that it will be sad that both Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic will not be in Brazil, but the reality is it will be a complete let down if a man as talented as Ronaldo is not in Brazil. He is on a different level to Ibrahimovic, who is a fine player himself, showing regularly, just like in this match, that he is one of the finest players to play the game. In Portugal he has a team that wont win the World Cup but they are certainly good enough to give him opportunities to show the world his talent (unlike Sweden with Ibrahimovic). In South Africa they had a coach who wouldnt allow that to happen but under Paulo Bento things are different. They do, of course, only have one foot on the plane to Brazil and their final destination will be determined in Sweden on Tuesday. It will likely be billed as Ronaldo holding advantage over Ibrahimovic, but it should be promoted as being the show that should book Ronaldos ticket to Brazil. That is one certainly worth signing up for. Andrew Wiggins Jersey . Colorado came up big against Chicago last spring, and repeated that performance Tuesday night. Varlamov stopped 36 shots and Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche in a 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks. Jimmy Butler Jersey . The 7-foot-1 Hawes, who is in the final year of his contract, is averaging 13 points and 8.5 rebounds, both career highs, and shoots 40 per cent from 3-point range. The 25-year-old Hawes is in his seventh NBA season. http://www.officialtimberwolvesproshop.com/authentic-karl-anthony-towns-timberwolves-jersey/ . Watch the announcement live on TSN.ca at 12:30pm et/9:30am pt. This years honourees will be recognized at the 2014 Hockey Canada Foundation Celebrity Classic, scheduled for June 23-24 in Vancouver.ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks didnt talk about ending their nine-game losing streak against Miami. The Hawks only wanted to make up for the last loss in the streak -- an overtime defeat in Miami last month. Paul Millsap scored 26 points and the Hawks overcame LeBron James 30 to beat the Heat 121-114 on Monday night, leaving Miami to bemoan its defensive woes. "To us, this was a get-back game," said Atlantas Lou Williams, who had 12 points. "We felt we should have won the last one in Miami that we lost in overtime." James blamed poor defence for Miamis fourth loss in its last six games. "We scored enough points to win, so obviously it was defence," James said. "Especially in the first half." The Hawks led 71-70 at halftime. DeMarre Carroll finished with 19 points and Pero Antic had 17 for the Hawks, who beat Miami for the first time since Jan 2, 2012. It was Atlantas first home win over the Heat since Nov. 18, 2009. The Hawks have been rebuilt under second-year general manager Danny Ferry and first-year coach Mike Budenholzer. Most Atlanta players said they had no idea the Hawks had gone so long without beating the Heat. "I never even knew that," Millsap said, adding the Hawks were more motivated by Miamis back-to-back NBA championships. "Anytime you play Miami or any great team, you want to step up and play your best," Millsap said. "I think thats what we did today." Chris Bosh had 21 points for Miami, which was without Dwyane Wade for the second straight game. The Hawks set a season high for points in a half and points allowed by a Miami opponent in a half. The Heat trailed despite matching their season high for points in a half. It was only the second time in Miamis franchise history both teams had at least 70 points in a half. "I cant just pinpoint what it is," James said of the defensive woes. "Its a little bit of everything. At some point weve got to figure it out. Its just not good basketball right now." Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said the defensive problems were "all across the board, A through Z." "There just wasnt a lot of pride on that side of the court tonight," Spoelstra said. "We tried to win it on a shootout and then when our offence came up dry on the roaad toward the end, a couple missed shots and turnovers, we werent able to secure a win. Minnesota Timberwolves Jerseys. " The Hawks led 57-45 late in the first half and kept a 97-92 advantage entering the final period. Even so, Miami appeared bound for its eighth comeback from double-digit deficits of the season. With a large portion of the Atlanta crowd chanting "Lets go, Heat!" James sank a 3-pointer with 7:06 remaining for a 104-all tie. James made another jumper on Miamis next possession to give the Heat the lead. Carrolls 3-pointer for Atlanta tied it at 107. Miami took its last lead when Mario Chalmers, who had 17 points, made one of two free throws. The Hawks regrouped to lead 112-108 following two free throws by Millsap. The Hawks led 116-111 when a missed layup by Atlantas Shelvin Mack set up James three-point play to cut the lead to two points. Kyle Korver, who had 12 points, answered with a 3-pointer. James had a turnover on a bad pass and a missed 3-pointer on Miamis next two possessions. Wade, who missed his second straight game, said before the game there is "still a little soreness" in his knees. Some players on each team wore purple shoes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Kings hometown. Both teams and the officials wore "Dream Big" logos on their warm-up shirts. Kings daughter, Bernice King, delivered a brief message before the game. Korver hit a 3-pointer to open the second period, extending to 109 his NBA record of consecutive games with a 3. James was slow to return to his feet after he was hit in the back of his head by Korver, who was trying to block a shot with 3:18 remaining in the first half. Korver was called for a flagrant foul, but the call was overturned following a review. NOTES: The Heat and the Celtics each had 70 or more points in the second half on April 12, 1990, at Boston, the only other time Miami and its opponent each scored at least 70 points in a half. ... Spoelstra said G Toney Douglas, acquired in a three-team trade on Wednesday, was working out in Miami. ... Forward-centre Chris Andersen, who has missed the Heats past three games with a right knee contusion, returned with eight points. ... C Greg Oden did not play. ... Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, the former University of Georgia star, attended the game. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Hockey Jerseys Nike NFL Jerseys China Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys China Wholesale Baseball Jerseys China Wholesale College Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys Near Me Cheap Jerseys Online Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap NCAA Jerseys Authentic Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic MLB Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Throwback Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China ' ' '