'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Cristiano Ronaldo set a unique international record after finding the target in UEFA Nations League's last-four clash. Switzerland is the 38th country against whom CR7 has scored.
In case you missed it...
The UEFA Nations League is taking place for the first time this year, with the final-four being England, Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland.
Portugal and Switzerland locked horns in the first semi-final and the other two teams play a day later. The title decider is scheduled for Sunday, June 9.
Cristiano Ronaldo's appearance against Switzerland was his 157th Portugal cap. The attacker joined Juventus at the start of 2018/19 season, leaving Real Madrid after winning three consecutive Champions League trophies with the club.
The Portuguese's first season at Turin was a relative success, lifting Seria A and the Italian Super Cup. The 34-year-old garnered 21 goals and 11 assists in the league.
The heart of the matter...
Cristiano broke the deadlock in the 25th minute with his driven free-kick. The striker used his trademark 'knuckle-ball' technique to blast the ball past Jan Sommer.
The veteran attacker did not stop here as he scored two goals in as many minutes to complete a remarkable hat-trick, his 53rd overall. Ronaldo placed Bernardo Silva's low cross into the bottom corner. He rolled back the years with his third goal, cutting in from the left side to slot the ball past the keeper, taking his international scoring tally to 87 goals.
Ronaldo's one-man show ensured Portugal of a spot in the UEFA Nations League final, and he will try to add an international trophy in his CV alongside Euro Cup, asserting his contention for the Ballon d'Or.
What's next?
Cristiano Ronaldo will captain his Portugal side in the finals of UEFA Nations League, facing either Netherlands or England on Sunday.
