BERNARDO SILVA did not join in with Portugal celebrations as he feared conceding a goal.
Goncalo Ramos fired Portugal in front in their World Cup last-16 clash against Switzerland with a cracking strike.
Bernardo Silva had initially been involved in the celebrations
Bernardo Silva then waited on the pitch as his team-mates celebrated Portugal’s first goal
But Silva waited on the pitch to congratulate the striker while the rest of his team-mates celebrated near the stands.
And quick-thinking fans have pointed out the Manchester City star did so because he wanted to avoid conceding a goal.
It has been suggested that under Fifa laws, play can resume after a goal once all members of the scoring team are no longer in the opposition half.
And the claim is that if players are not on the field of play, that counts as them not being in the opposite half.
The same fan theory was circulated in the 2018 World Cup, when Kieran Trippier was the only outfield England player who failed to join in the team celebrations after Harry Kane’s late winner against Tunisia.
However, Law 8 states that for play to restart “all players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field of play.”
That means Silva could have joined in with the celebrations without fearing a Switzerland restart.
But the 28-year-old still won plaudits from viewers who were impressed by his presence of mind.
One wrote: “Bernardo Silva too smart. Quickly got back onto the pitch during the celebrations, so the game couldn’t restart. ”
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Another added: “Bernardo Silva playing 5D chess and running back onto the pitch so the Swiss can’t restart quickly too.”
And a third said: “Notice Bernando Silva staying alive during the celebrations, running back on to the pitch. Elite mentality.”
Fortunately for Silva he did not miss out on the celebrations for long as Portugal hit six past Switzerland to set-up a quarter-final tie with Morocco.
The England players mob Harry Kane after his dramatic stoppage time winner against Tunisia in 2018 – all except Kieran TrippierGetty Images – Getty
The England players join Kane in celebration outside the field of play
Kieran Trippier turned his back on the celebrations to make his way back to his position – but stopped just inside the Tunisia half Read More