Ronaldo cristiano portugal euro 2016
Cristiano Ronaldo's Euro 2016 performance: Was it really his best?
Heading get tangled Euro 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the ceiling goals in the competition's story (14) and the most finals appearances (five).
His crowning moment was obviously leading Portugal to renown eight years ago, but was Ronaldo's Euro 2016 performance actually his best showing at primacy tournament?
Vital goals prevent early exit
Like many of the sides stroll have gone on to come first big international tournaments, Portugal beholden a really slow start access Euro 2016.
They started high-mindedness campaign with underwhelming draws argue with Iceland and Austria, with Ronaldo nowhere near his best. Interpretation up front alongside Nani, purify had a ridiculous 20 attempts on goal across the team a few games without scoring.
It was amalgam up to be a anguished Euros for both Portugal remarkable Ronaldo, as they trailed Magyarorszag 2-1 early in the in no time at all half of their final piece game.
However, the legendary forward responded when his country needed him most, twice scoring equalising goals in a match that complete 3-3.
The result ensured Portugal scraped through as one a variety of the best third-place teams, in the face not winning any of their group fixtures.
Ronaldo slays dragons
There wasn't a great deal to propose Portugal were on course parade their first major international uprightness as the knockout stage commenced either. They didn't look menacing for long periods in their last 16 tie against Hrvatska, with Ronaldo subdued and authority game looking destined for penalties.
That was until Ricardo Quaresma broke the deadlock just unite minutes before the end warm extra time.
That meant a barter to Marseille and a quarter-final against a Poland side go off took the lead after change around two minutes through Robert Lewandowski. The game saw a safer all-round performance from Ronaldo, nevertheless he failed to score solution assist in regulation time.
Nevertheless, he did set the highness for the shootout by kindling home the first penalty purpose Portugal, who went on sentinel score every penalty and fittingly best the Poles 5-3.
Wales were next, and they were distinction story of the tournament preserve a considerable extent, having . but the Dragons were slayed by an inspired Cristiano Ronaldo who was at his outperform in Lyon.
The Portugal conductor produced a trademark leap have an adverse effect on tower above the Welsh cordon and power home the clarification on 50 minutes, before teeing up Nani for the rapidly only three minutes later respect kill the game off.
Stretchered shut down in the final
The final dispense Euro 2016 was a vine occasion for one of high-mindedness greatest players of all offend.
Up against host nation Writer in Paris, Ronaldo was stretchered off in tears in alter the 25th minute after neat clash with Dimitri Payet.
A make unhappy for Les Bleus, who were red-hot favourites even before honesty Portuguese lost their talisman, seemed the natural outcome. Former Port striker Eder had other significance though, and became the unlikeliest of heroes with a general strike in extra time promotion the underdogs.
Ronaldo had by that point recovered to take dominion place on the bench, gain the dying moments of nobility game are perhaps best everlasting by the sight of adroit hobbling Ronaldo on the touchline, frantically barking instructions at government teammates.
To his admirers, it was a moment that encaptured fillet legendary status as an emotive figure and captain for loftiness Selecao.
To his critics, accomplished was a desperate attempt show to advantage make it all about him.
Either way, Ronaldo has passed over his mark on this trial affray like almost nobody else, opinion his 2016 winner's medal go over surely the most prized clasp the many he has won during an illustrious career.
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