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

#4: Portugal 6-0 Andorra in Aviero, 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Ronaldo celebrates after scoring against Andorra.

In a dominating performance in front of an adoring home crowd in Aviero, Ronaldo scored twice in the space of the opening four minutes against Andorra in a qualifier for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Portugal captain duly completed his hat-trick two minutes into the second half, and registered his first four-goal haul in national team colours by finding the back of the net midway through the second half. Portugal went to complete a 6-0 win over the overwhelmed visitors.

#3: Armenia 2-3 Portugal in Yerevan, Euro 2016 Qualifier

Ronaldo takes in the applause after scoring in Yerevan

In a competitive Euro 2016 qualifier, Marcos Pizzelli opened the scoring for the hosts, only to be pulled back by Cristiano Ronaldo's opener from the spot at the half-hour mark, as the teams went into halftime on level terms.

Ronaldo added a quickfire double at the hour mark to give Portugal a 3-1 lead on the night. In the process, the Portugal captain scored his third hat-trick for the A. Selecao.

Armenia pulled a goal back through Hrayr Mkoyan but Portugal hung on to complete a hard-fought 3-2 win in Yerevan to stay on course for qualification at the 2016 Euros.

#2: Sweden 2-3 Portugal in Stockholm, 2014 FIFA World Cup Play-off Second Leg

Cristiano Ronaldo exults after scoring in a 2014 FIFA WC qualifier playoff against Sweden

After Portugal narrowly missed out to Russia for a direct spot at the 2014 World Cup, the Iberian nation faced Sweden in a two-legged playoff for a place in the quadrennial tournament.

Portugal arrived at the Friends' Arena in Solna, Stockholm for the second leg on the back of a 1-0 first leg advantage. On a night where the host nation looked up to their inspirational captain Zlatan Ibrahimovich for some magic to rubber-stamp their return to the World Cup after missing out in 2010, it was Ronaldo who stole the limelight.

After a goalless first half in the Swedish capital, Portugal adapted better to a difficult surface recently relaid for the World Cup play-off as Ronaldo's low left-footed shot beat Andreas Isaksson and doubled Portugal's aggregate lead. With Sweden now needing three goals to qualify, Ibrahimovich's header reduced the deficit to two.

When the talismanic Swedish captain scored off a free-kick, the Friends' Arena rose in anticipation as Portugal's aggregate lead had evaporated and they only led on away goals (3-3). But Ronaldo turned up once again to douse the home team's hopes, as he scored his second of the night with another left-footed effort which was even applauded by Ibrahimovich.

Minutes later, Ronaldo completed his second hat-trick for Portugal as the match ceased to be a contest. In the process, Ronaldo became only the fourth Portuguese player (Eusébio, Pedro Pauleta and Nuno Gomes being the others), to score multiple hat-tricks for the A. Selecao.

#1: Northern Ireland 2-4 Portugal in Belfast, 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Ronaldo celebrates one of his goals against Northern Ireland in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier

In a key 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying game, Portugal travelled to Belfast to face Northern Ireland in a game Portugal couldn't afford to lose in order to stay in contention.

After Bruno Alves opened the scoring for the visitors, goals from Gareth McAuley and Jamie Ward provided a 2-1 lead to the hosts. Ronaldo's header midway through the second half restored parity. Another header from the talismanic player restored Portugal's lead 13 minutes from time.

The three points were rubber-stamped when Ronaldo scored a fine free-kick to bulge the Northern Irish net, in the process scoring his first ever hat-trick for Portugal.