Ronaldo could not start because he had not trained - Santos

Cristiano Ronaldo had not been able to train fully ahead of Portugal's crunch World Cup qualifier in Andorra, explained Fernando Santos after the forward came off the bench to inspire a 2-0 win.

Ronaldo, one booking away from being suspended for the concluding Group B game at home to leaders Switzerland on Tuesday, was surprisingly named among the substitutes for Saturday's qualifier.

But after a goalless first half in which the Euro 2016 champions toiled in the absence of their captain and record goalscorer, Santos turned to the 32-year-old at the interval and he proved the difference.

"I thought a lot. I thought, well, Ronaldo did not train 100 percent in two of the days of work," Santos told RTP.

"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."

UCJ, UNILORIN.