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Like most sports and life, things can change in the blink of an eye in football. Football is filled with games going down till the last minute as the audience can't keep their eyes off the game.
The unpredictability adds to the essence of the beautiful game which results in matches going either way till the very end.
Great players usually have the knack or presence to change the game in a matter of seconds. It takes huge composure, calmness and mettle to determine the game- it can be a defence-splitting pass or a shot from nowhere or even a tremendous block or a save. What makes a player truly great is their ability to change the tie when their team needs them the most.
And when we talk about all-time greats of football, it would be a crime to ignore Cristiano Ronaldo.
He has almost made it a routine with his great performances for more than over a decade. Cristiano's impact for his team cannot be measured through mere numbers- no matter how godly they are.
Over the years, Ronaldo always answered the call for help just when his team needed him the most.
It was as if the greatest moments of his career were waiting for him.
Here is a look at the top 5 performances by Ronaldo throughout his glorious career that helped his team come out with a victory in pressure situations.
#5 Real Madrid vs Barcelona (Copa del Rey Final, 2010/11)
After his world record move from Manchester United to Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to win any silverware initially.
During his initial years, Real Madrid struggled to match with arguably the greatest team of Barcelona, led by Pep Guardiola.
His initial success with Real Madrid and first silverware came late than people expected. The stage was set for Ronaldo to prove his worth and deliver against Real Madrid's eternal rivals at the Copa del Rey Final.
Ronaldo took up the opportunity in a defining moment of his career with a smashing header in the extra time.
The 'El Clasico' used to be a bit different eight years ago. Real Madrid had to rely on counter attacks to get a breakthrough and they just did that.
With the score tied 0-0 at extra time, Angel Di Maria took a superb run down the left flank after a one two with Marcelo and provided a great cross in the box where Cristiano was waiting for it.
The bullet header was precise and unstoppable as Barcelona keeper Pinto watched helplessly.
The win was not at all easy but despite being the sole scorer, Ronaldo was amazing throughout the game.
He also helped out in defence in need.
His passing, shooting and dribbling creating troubles for Barcelona. It was a perfect end to define his first big moment with Real Madrid.
#4 Real Madrid Versus Barcelona ( Away in La Liga, 2011/12) :
There is no doubt Cristiano Ronaldo instilled a winning mentality upon his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu. Even at the times filled with chaos, his steady arms provided much need relief, calmness and a glimmer of hope.
All this was evident when Real Madrid faced Barcelona at the Camp Nou in 2011/12. It was Real Madrid led by Jose Mourinho leading the title race after a long time and Cristiano Ronaldo's brilliance in the Camp Nou gifted Madrid the LaLiga crown.
Unsurprisingly, Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid was banking on counter attacks to find the weakness in an almost perfect Barcelona side. Although Real Madrid went ahead through an early goal, Barcelona equalized and Real was struggling on the pitch to get a hold of the ball.
In the 73rd Minute, Angel Di Maria runs a few yards before finding Mesut Ozil on the right flank.
Ozil, who had brilliant chemistry with Cristiano, managed a defence-splitting through ball which was effortlessly received by a sprinting Cristiano. With a magnificent first touch, he just managed to squeeze the ball past Valdes through a very tight angle.
Moments after, Cristiano rushed towards the stands of Camp Nou and orchestrated his famous celebration "Calma Calma" leaving a pin drop silence for seconds.
There is no doubt that Cristiano was brilliant throughout the season and his performance vs Barcelona capped off a glorious campaign.
#3 Portugal vs Spain (World Cup 2018)
Maybe, the last remaining regret of Cristiano Ronaldo was his memories at the World Cup throughout his career.
The Portuguese superstar was desperate to send ripples through the world once again, even at 33 and when Russia came calling, Ronaldo embraced the challenge with open arms as he usually does.
He produced one of the greatest individual performances of the World Cup as Portugal took on Spain in the opening match of their group.
His hat-trick earned Portugal a point and the whole world was left chanting his name, once again.
Ronaldo found the opener, through a penalty he earned in the opening minutes of the match. Spain was quick to equalise and dominated proceeding. Ronaldo again, found the net as David De Gea fumbled on a low shot from outside the box to restore the lead.
Spain dominated the second half too, as their fluency helped them score two goals and take the lead.
Ronaldo was rendered as a mere spectator but he usually loves to have the last say. Once more, he pulled a rabbit out of the hat from a free kick just outside the box which left David De Gea rooted to his spot.
It was a one man show in the World Cup match against Spain from a man who was past his younger self.
But as usual, Ronaldo reminded the world that he is someone his opposition should still worry about.
#2 Real Madrid Versus Wolfsburg (UEFA Champions League Quarter-FInal, 2015/16)
The Quarter Final second leg of the much coveted UEFA Champions League took place at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid hosted Vfl Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg, having already won the first leg at their own den, came to face Madrid with a 2-0 advantage.
It was a torrid season for Real Madrid as they saw the departure of Rafa Benitez after their humiliation against FC Barcelona.
Real Madrid was struggling to be their usual dominating self but under Zinedine Zidane, they found their fighting spirit.
Determined to overturn the deficit, Cristiano Ronaldo looked his usual, alien-like self on the night the Los Blancos needed him the most.
He was tracking back, urging his teammates forward, working extra hard and leading Real on the pitch. He was quick to start the comeback with a simple tap-in from a deflected Carvajal cross
Soon after, Ronaldo headed in from a corner to level the scores on aggregate. It was a tight angle but a powerful and precise header which left Wolfsburg in shock.
Cristiano produced another magical moment in the 77th minute when his freekick went between the bodies on the wall and ended up in the goal.
The comeback was complete with Cristiano once again writing the destiny of Madrid. The greatest stage calls for the greatest and there is no one greater than Cristiano in the Champions League.
He has proved that time and again and this performance is a testament to the universal truth.
#1 Portugal Vs Sweden (World Cup Qualifiers, 2013)
Arguably, Cristiano Ronaldo provided the best moment of his career at a pivotal time when he helped Portugal qualify for the World Cup by beating Sweden.
The tie was hailed as a battle between two megastars- Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. And the former outclassed him in all aspects and showed his mettle to carry his team into the World Cup.
Cristiano already gave Portugal the lead in a two-legged playoff, with him being the sole scorer in the first leg with his late goal.
But his masterclass came in the second leg as he scored three excellent goals to eliminate Sweden and show why he is one of the best players in the world.
Sweden needed a more attacking display but they failed to penetrate in the first half. Cristiano opened the scoring with a shot from a low angle by picking a Moutinho's inch-perfect through pass.
But Sweden led by Zlatan Ibrahimovic kept asking questions and them the lead by scoring two goals in five minutes.
Refusing to give up, Cristiano orchestrated Portugal's attacks as he dropped deep and showed more venom as the match went on.
Soon after, Cristiano scored twice- both of highest order as the audience witnessed some exquisite touch and finishing to end Sweden's hopes.
Cristiano's brilliance even brought some applause from Sweden fans amidst wild celebration from the Portugal camp.
While speaking of great individual clutch displays, Cristiano's exploits against Sweden is hard to miss since it came at such a pivotal time.
