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Cristiano Ronaldo is known for showing his abilities in the biggest matches, and he's done it for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the Portuguese National team.
However, his most celebrated performances for Portugal are not judged only by the stats. The context and what Portugal achieved after his heroics matters.
The prolific number seven machine has shocked the world with his crazy goalscoring and tremendous ability to show up at the big stage. It is crucial to establish Portugal is not a team with excessively high expectations. Some accomplishments are more prominent for the Portuguese fans than it would be for other countries with an enormous football tradition.
Also read: World Cup 2018: Portugal Squad Preview, Fixtures, Where to Watch, Best Starting XI & Predictions
Ronaldo has scored 81 goals in 150 matches for Portugal and led his National Team to victory in the 2016 UEFA Euro in France. After all his heroics with Manchester United and Real Madrid, let's take a look at his best performances with Portugal, so far.
#3 Portugal vs Sweden, 2014 FIFA World Cup play-off
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal faced Sweden and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a spot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
His second leg performance was sublime. After Portugal's victory at home 1-0 in the first leg, everything was at stake in the second leg at Sweden, and Ronaldo delivered.
The number seven scored four goals in the two matches against Sweden to seal Portugal's ticket to Brazil. The aggregate score was 4-2, and Ronaldo managed to score Portugal's four goals and showed his entire offensive skills: one header, two goals with his left foot and one with his right foot.
The two-legged series would send one squad to the World Cup, and Ronaldo made sure Portugal would play in the sixth World Cup in its history, and the fourth in a row.
In many fans' minds, this performance by Ronaldo should rank higher, but the context matters. Even though this was a tremendous individual performance and provided Portugal the chance to play in the 2014 World Cup, their first-round exit in Brazil makes it hard to make a case for number one.
#2 Portugal versus Wales, UEFA Euro 2016
In the Euro 2016 semifinals, Wales and Gareth Bale were in Portugal's way to the final with plans of advancing. With Wales coming off a victory over Belgium in the quarterfinals, they were ready to take the challenge against Cristiano Ronaldo's team, who defeated Poland in the previous round in penalty shootouts.
The first half was quiet for both teams. After the 22 men came back to play the second half, one of them came out stronger than before and sealed the deal.
Cristiano Ronaldo smacked in a fantastic header at the start of the second half, then continued to threat Wales defence with his speed and ability. Portugal's second goal came after Nani corrected a shot by CR7 and Portugal classified to the final against the hosts France and took them down despite Ronaldo's injury in the first half.
With his header, Cristiano tied Frenchman Michel Platini for the most goals in UEFA Euro tournament history.
#1 Portugal versus the Netherlands, UEFA Euro 2012
Cristiano Ronaldo struggled in the first two games of 2012 Euro, which compromised Portugal's chances of advancing to the quarterfinals. In the first game against Germany, CR7 did not have their best game, and his team fell 1-0.
In the second matchday against Denmark, Ronaldo had another disappointing outing, primarily because he wasn't composed in front of goal and missed a couple of chances he usually puts away with ease.
Portugal were able to beat Denmark 3-2 with a late goal from Silvestre Varela.
Matchday three presented Portugal a chance to go into the quarterfinals; they needed a good result against the Netherlands to go through.
The Netherlands National team did not play well in the first two games but had a chance to advance with a combination of results, the main one, a victory over Ronaldo's Portugal.
The Dutch took an early lead thanks to a great goal from Rafael van der Vaart, and all eyes were on Cristiano, and the football legend showed his capability.
Ronaldo had another brilliant performance in the quarterfinals against the Czech Republic and scored a header to send Portugal into the semifinals. Unluckily, Ronaldo's run in the 2012 UEFA Euro was snapped by Spain in the semifinals after the penalty shootout.
