Cristiano Ronaldo defies age with bicycle kick in Portugal’s Nations League win over Poland: WATCH

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace in Portugal 5-1 thrashing of Poland in the UEFA Nations League. The win also confirmed Portugal's entry into the quarterfinals.  

Written By Koushik Paul
Updated16 Nov 2024, 10:07 AM IST
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) attempts a bicycle kick to score Portugal's fifth goal during the UEFA Nations League match against Poland at the Dragao stadium in Porto.
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) attempts a bicycle kick to score Portugal’s fifth goal during the UEFA Nations League match against Poland at the Dragao stadium in Porto.(AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved age is just a number as the 39-year-old scored two goals, including a bicycle kick, in Portugal's 5-1 win over Poland in a Nations League match on Saturday. With this win, Portugal joined Italy, France, Germany and Spain in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Both teams struggled to break the deadlock in the first half before Rafael Leao gave Portugal the lead in the 59th minute. Ronaldo got his name on the scoresheet three minutes later from a penalty after Jakub Kiwior handled the ball inside the box.

Also Read | Lionel Messi levels Ronaldo’s hat-trick record, says ‘can be my last games’

Ronaldo's former Manchester united teammates Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 for Portugal in the 80th minute. Three minutes later the Al Nassr assisted a fine pass for Pedro Neto to score Portugal's fourth.

Ronaldo's moment of magic came in the 87th minute with a spectacular overhead kick to pile up the misery on Poland. Vinitha, who ran through the right wing, sent a looping cross for Ronaldo who was standing unmarked in front of the goal.

Also Read | Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first football player to score 900 goals

But instead of touching or scoring on volley, the former Real Madrid star jumped into a position to send the ball into the net. Poland scored a consolation goal through Dominik Marczuk.

Ronaldo's spectacular also reminded his fans about his famous bicycle kick scored during a UEFA Champions League match in 2018 for Real Madrid against Juventus in the first leg of their quarterfinal.  

Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses Diego Maradona

The two goals marked Ronaldo's 134th and 135th goals in international football. He also surpassed Maradona for more goals after turning 35 that what the Argentina legend scored in his entire career.

Hailed as one of the greats in football, Maradona scored 34 goals for Argentina in his 91 appearances from 1977 to 1994. Ronaldo, who will turn 40 in February, scored 35 goals ironically since he turned 35.

 

 

 

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First Published:16 Nov 2024, 10:03 AM IST
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