CRISTIANO RONALDO MATCHED Michel Platini’s record of nine goals in European Championship finals matches by scoring in Portugal’s Euro 2016 semi-final win over Wales on Wednesday.
Here, AFP Sports looks at Ronaldo’s nine goals across four separate Euros that saw him match yet another goalscoring record.
Portugal 1 Greece 2, Euro 2004
Ronaldo’s first Portugal goal came in ignominious circumstances as he headed home a corner deep into injury time as Portugal’s start to Euro 2004 on home soil got off to the worst possible start with a shock 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Greece.
Portugal 2 Netherlands 1, Euro 2004
A second, almost carbon copy, header from a Deco corner followed to spark scenes of joy on Ronaldo’s return to Lisbon’s Jose Alvalade — where he started his career with Sporting Lisbon — with the opening goal as Portugal reached their first ever major final.
Portugal 3 Czech Republic 1, Euro 2008
Ronaldo was expected to shine in Austria and Switzerland fresh from winning the Champions League with Manchester United.
However, his solitary goal at Euro 2008 came when he swept home from the edge of the box to ensure Portugal finished top of Group A with a 3-1 win over the Czechs in Geneva.
Portugal 2 Netherlands 1, Euro 2012
Fresh from a 60-goal season with Real Madrid, Ronaldo was kept quiet during Portugal’s opening two group games against Germany and Denmark, but came to life with Portugal facing an early exit to fire home an equaliser in Kharkiv.
Portugal 2 Netherlands 1, Euro 2012
And he sent the Dutch home with three defeats from three matches by sweeping home at the end of a flowing counter-attack 16 minutes from time to ensure Portugal’s place in the last eight.
Portugal 1 Czech Republic 0, Euro 2012
The Czechs resisted Ronaldo’s constant threat for 79 minutes at Warsaw’s national stadium, but eventually the three-time World Player of the Year bullied his way past the defence to head home Joao Moutinho’s cross.
Portugal 3 Hungary 3, Euro 2016
Similarly to 2012, Ronaldo endured a nightmare start when he was shut out by Iceland and then missed a penalty against Austria as Portugal started with back-to-back draws in France.
However, Ronaldo ensured third-place was enough to book their place in the last 16 as he beautifully back-heeled into the far corner to become the first ever player to score in four editions of the Euros.
Portugal 3 Hungary 3, Euro 2016
Only 12 minutes had passed before Ronaldo notched his second of Euro 2016 with a bullet header as Portugal equalised for the third time in the game.
Portugal 2 Wales 0, Euro 2016
Billed as a battle between Ronaldo and Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale, it was the former who came out on top in the semi-final in Lyon. His bullet header from Raphael Guerreiro’s cross broke the deadlock early in the second half before his shot teed up Nani for Portugal’s second that took them into the final.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
