Stopping Cristiano Ronaldo on a penalty kick isn’t a task for just anyone on the street, but Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was able to pull it off in Monday’s 1-1 draw against Portugal. It wasn’t enough for Iran to stay alive, as they would’ve needed a win, but it did keep Portugal out of first place in Group B.
Plus, Beiranvand gets to go home able to say that he denied Ronaldo on a penalty kick! That’s not nothing, and it surely means something for Beiranvand. Before he was a goalkeeper playing in the World Cup, he was reportedly homeless as a child.
According to The Guardian, Beiranvand's father told him at a young age that football couldn't possibly be a career, prompting him to run away at the age of 12. He worked odd jobs, slept outside of his team's stadium and continuned to grind.
The World Cup is not lacking in come-up stories, but this one might top the lot. It’s a remarkable journey to the world stage, and though it’s over now, stopping Ronaldo on a penalty kick makes for one great career takeaway.
It’s yet another reminder that for viewers around the country, the World Cup isn’t just sports. The world stage carries an emotional bent, and as the field begins to shrink and teams begin to advance, we’re seeing this unfold in front of our eyes.
This is all very serious business! Fans in Mexico even caused an earthquake while cheering for their team.
h/t The Guardian
