Re-living Cristiano Ronaldo's nine international hat-tricks

#8: Lithuania 1-5 Portugal in Vilnius, Euro 2020 Qualifiers

Ronaldo rejoices after scoring against Lithuania in Vilnius

Ronaldo opened the scoring for Portugal in the seventh minute from the spot. The home side levelled the score midway through the first half as the teams went to the breather at 1-1.

It would be as good as it got for the hosts on the night. Ronaldo restored Portugal's lead at the hour mark and four minutes later completed his 8th hat-trick in national team colours as the European champions took a stranglehold of the game.

It was Ronaldo's first hat-trick in the Euro 2020 qualifiers and his second overall in European qualifying campaigns. The Juventus captain scored his fourth of the game, marking the second instance in his career when he netted 4 goals for the A. Selecao (also against Andorra in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers), as Portugal completed a comfortable 5-1 win.

#7: Portugal 3-1 Switzerland in Porto, 2018-19 UEFA Nations League semifinals

Ronaldo takes in the applause from the home fans after scoring against Switzerland

Making his first appearance in the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League in 2018-19, Ronaldo made it a memorable one when his hat-trick floored Switzerland in the semifinals.

Portugal would go on to beat Netherlands in the final as Ronaldo lifted his second international trophy for his national team.

In a tight game in Porto, Ronald opened the scoring for the hosts midway through the first half as Portugal held a slender one-goal advantage at halftime. Ricardo Rodriguez's equaliser for Switzerland made it a tighter affair until Ronaldo restored Portugal's lead two minutes from time.

Another goal two minutes later broke the Swiss resistance as Ronaldo registered his seventh hat-trick for Portugal and took the home nation to the UEFA Nations League final.

#6: Spain 3-3 Portugal in Sochi, 2018 FIFA World Cup group-stage

Ronaldo scored all three goals against Spain in a 3-3 draw at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

In an all-Iberian derby in the Russian black sea resort of Sochi, Ronaldo's 4th-minute opener from the spot marked the earliest goal conceded by Spain at a World Cup.

Although Diego Costa restored parity for the 2010 champions, Ronaldo's scored his second of the game on the cusp of halftime as Portugal looked on course for a famous win. Costa's second of the game nullified Portugal's lead and when Nacho scored a long-ranger on the hour-mark, Spain were in the lead for the first time on the night,

But it was a night Ronaldo wouldn't leave his imprint go un-rewarded. Felled on the edge of the box in the dying moments of the game, Ronaldo hauled himself up and scorched the Spain net with a fabulous free-kick to force a share of the spoils on a thirlling night in Sochi.

It was Ronaldo's first goal from a direct free-kick at the World Cup as the Portugal captain also registered his first-hat-trick at a major tournament.

# 5: Portugal 5-1 Faroe Islands in Porto, 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Ronaldo exults after scoring against the Faroe Islands

Once again Ronaldo and Portugal made a brisk start as the captain opened the scoring against Faroe Islands after three minutes.

Midway through the first half, Ronaldo doubled Portugal's lead on the night. Faroe Islands capitalised on a lapse of concentration from the home team to pull a goal back but Portugal soon re-asserted their supremacy in the game as William Carvalho turned in Ronaldo's pass.

Goalscorer soon turned provider as Ronaldo completed his fifth hat-trick for Portugal as the European champions went to close out a comfortable 5-1 win in Porto to stay on course for a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.