Manchester United superstar scores 116th and 117th goals for his country in Nations League.
Cristiano Ronaldo who won the Sir Matt Busby player of the year and Goal of the season in his first year back at Manchester United, produce a masterclass performance against the Swiss as he fired them to a comfortable 4-0 victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo mark his return to the Portugal starting line-up with a brace as Fernando Santo’s side comfortably defeated Switzerland 4-0 to claim their first win of the Uefa Nations League.
The veteran forward and captain was rested to the bench for his country’s opener with Spain on Thursday, forced to make do with a half-hour cameo in the 1-1 draw.
But the Manchester United superstar sent a searing message of his indispensability to coach Fernando Santos on his return to the starting line-up. Fans at Estadio Jose Alvalade enjoyed themselves with Ronaldo giving them the trademark celebration.
For the visitors, a second defeat of the Nations League in as many games leaves them facing a tough remaining schedule, after losing to the Czech Republic last time out.
Switzerland had the ball in the back of the net first, in what could have been a lively start in Lisbon, Haris Seferovic prodded in from close range amid a crowded box.
Portugal were let off the hook, however, when VAR intervened to deem Fabian Schar had committed a handball infringement in the build-up from Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner, the goal was chalked off amid a handball in the build-up.
After that early scare, Santos’ side sought to impose themselves and were rewarded on the quarter-hour mark when William Carvalho gave Portugal their opener, the Real Betis midfielder on hand to slot into an empty net after Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel could only parry Ronaldo’s free-kick into his path.
From there, Ronaldo unfurled his instinct for hitting goals in rapid succession, first doubling his side’s lead with a smooth strike from Diogo Jota’s cut-back in the 35th minute, before adding a second for himself four minutes later with a tap-in.
The Manchester United forward almost had a hat-trick before the break, but he spurned a golden opportunity to make it a seven-minute hat-trick when he failed to hit the target from point-blank range.
After two games, Portugal have four points, level with Czech Republic who played a 2-2 draw against Spain yesterday night.
Portugal will played against Czech Republic in their final group stage match June 9, 2022.
