Published 14:45 IST, October 15th 2019
Cristiano Ronaldo's career: Best moments and goals for Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo the four-time Ballon d'Or winner is not only the best goal scorer of all time but also captained Portugal side to the UEFA Euro 2016 title.
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Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably one of the most hardworking footballers in the current time. A dominant force on the football field for the last 10 years, the 32-year old has won almost everything at both club and international level. The four-time Ballon d'Or winner is not only the best goalscorer of all time but also the captain of Portugal, who he led them to victory in the UEFA Euro 2016. Here's a quick look at 5 of his best performances for Portugal:
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Cristiano Ronaldo crushes Dutch dream
Ronaldo has always delivered when his team needs him the most. He also always led from the front as skipper and scored some stunning goals. During Euro 2012, Ronaldo led Portugal’s fightback and crush Netherlands dream of progressing in quarter-finals.
The Netherlands needed two goals in order to progress in the next round. Rafael van der Vaart's lovely curling strike put the Dutch ahead. But Ronaldo ruined the party by scored the equalising goal in the 28th minute and then finished off the match with a stunning goal in the 74th minute.
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Cristiano Ronaldo goals against Hungary in Euro 2016
In the do-or-die match, Ronaldo gave an all-round performance to help his side progress in the tournament. He first set up Nani for an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, before scoring two astonishing goals. The Juventus star scored with a sublime flick and a splendid header to take Portugal to the knockout phase.
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Cristiano Ronaldo goal in semi-final vs Wales in Euro 2016
The match was dubbed as the showdown between Real Madrid teammate as Ronaldo took on Gareth Bale’s Wales side. Ronaldo found the back of the net with a fantastic header and a second goal from Nani ended Wales' fairytale run in the tournament.
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Cristiano Ronaldo winning Euro 2016
Even though Ronaldo failed to score in the final and left the pitch on a stretcher after suffering a knee injury, he declared that Portugal’s Euro 2016 final win was a victory for the entire nation. After the match remained goalless in full 90 minutes, former Swansea striker Eder scored an extra-time winner to inflict the 1-0 defeat on France and secure Portugal’s first-ever major trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal vs Spain in Sochi
The 2018 World Cup in Russia saw a breathtaking match as Portugal held Spain to 3-3 draw. Ronaldo who won his 151st cap for Portugal produced one of the World Cup’s greatest performances by scoring a hat-trick which included a stunning free-kick which will be remembered forever by the fans.
12:27 IST, October 15th 2019