A STUNNING HAT-TRICK from Cristiano Ronaldo fired Portugal into the final of the Nations League with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Porto.
A closely fought contest at Estadio do Dragao was settled by the individual brilliance of the host nation’s captain, who opened the scoring in the first half before striking twice in two minutes just as extra time looked likely.
Switzerland looked the better team for long spells and deservedly drew level after half-time thanks to Ricardo Rodriguez’s penalty, which was awarded in remarkable circumstances after a Portugal spot-kick was overturned by VAR.
But Ronaldo ensured Portugal will contest the final of this inaugural competition against either England or Netherlands on Sunday thanks to two stunning pieces of finishing in the closing moments.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Haris Seferovic each missed presentable openings as Switzerland started the stronger.
They were made to rue those misses 25 minutes in. Ronaldo, having won a free-kick thanks to a robust challenge from Kevin Mbabu, fired the ball past a messy wall and into the bottom-right corner beyond the static Yann Sommer.
There was a further chance for Seferovic, whose half-volley from Mbabu’s cross clipped the crossbar, and Joao Felix spurned an opportunity to mark his debut with a goal when Ronaldo played him through.
Switzerland drew level 12 minutes after the restart, though — and in extraordinary fashion.
Portugal were awarded a penalty after Bernardo Silva was clearly fouled by Fabian Schar, but referee Felix Brych overturned the decision and awarded a spot-kick to Switzerland as, earlier in the same passage of play, Nelson Semedo made the slightest of contact with Steven Zuber and tripped him in the box. Rodriguez dispatched the ball from 12 yards despite Rui Patricio’s best efforts.
There was a further blow to Portugal when Pepe went off with an arm injury, and Switzerland began to look the most likely to snatch a winner, with Shaqiri causing particular problems and Mbabu setting up chances for Zuber and Renato Steffen.
But Ronaldo came to his side’s aid when it mattered most. He struck his second goal with a low first-time finish from a Silva cut-back, and he added a third in the 90th minute, racing into the penalty area, bamboozling Manuel Akanji and rifling past Sommer.
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Some man in fairness. He turns beast mode on yet again. At 34.
You’ve aged well there Gareth lol
He always performs well under pressure, for club and country! Viva Ronaldo
@Claire Con:Balon D’or for sure
@Claire Con: more of a Bale fan sorry
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: even when you posts are always deleted on this man you keep at it
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: murky past? Do you know the lad personally? I’d love to hear more about this supposed murky past.
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: Maybe you should consider getting a life instead of posting accusations over and over again.
@Adam Gibson: Ronaldo has been shite prior to this match.
@themansam: and yet this post remains. what’s your point?
@Claire Con: hmm maybe those fairly horrendous indiscretions he paid for, literally and now he’ll be paying for through the legal system.
@Alan Brazil: I’ve as much of a life as you here posting your own drivvle.
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: Rape accusations ruin careers. I can’t blame him tbh
GOAT now for sure. Messi has been fading away since ’15.
@Bryn Capstan: Messi is back in court but this time it’s tax evasion using his charitable foundation . Now it’s very sordid . Money donated for a good cause has somehow ended in the usual pockets . All this while the charity never formally existed . If true it’s a new low . Just imagine if Trocaire sponsored Man U . You think the money is going to Africa but it’s going to the Cayman Islands . I’d be surprised if only Messi and family were at it .
@Bryn Capstan: you been under a rock since 2015 pal ? Messi absolutely tearing it up
@Micheál: Messi only scored 51 goals in 50 games this season, a shocking return.
@The Bloody Nine: basically been center mid all season as well can’t believe how deep he’s playing
@Micheál: insane. He spends so much of the game involved in the build-up, creating chances for everyone else and yet still tops all the scoring charts all across Europe.
@Micheál: CR 3 CLs Euro ’16, Nations League Final this year. And Messi has won diddly squat in international club and withcountry since ’15. FACT. Don’t like it then TOUGH.
@Micheál: his CL medals are finished I suspect. CR7 will win another. MARK MY WORDS.
@Limón Madrugada: Irish charities! Probably a worse rap than Messi’s taxes!
@Bryn Capstan: but you said Messi has been fading since 2015, yet his individual statistics say otherwise. That is a fact so why did you lie?
@Bryn Capstan: Messi has 4 CLs, so I wouldn’t go pushing that number. Also, bear in mind that Messi is 31, Ronaldo 34. His numbers already equate or beat Ronaldo’s – and by the end of both careers, I reckon Messi’s will be definitively better. Career titles and goals to date – there’s not much in it. Where there is a conclusive gap is in assists, in favour of Messi. Which is what clinches the argument.
G.O.A.T
@Scott Mcsauce bby: Dream on
VIVA RONALDO
7th international hat trick! Animal
@Richard O’Brien: allegedly
HE’S A COD BILL