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Doubts over Ronaldo dispelled

16 June 2021, 18:00 PM
UPDATED 17 June 2021, 00:44 AM
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Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo jumps in the air to celebrate his second goal against Hungary during a 3-0 win. The deafening roar at the Puskas Arena in Budapest will have been music to the ears of football fans around the world, as a full house of 67,000 fans watched Portugal take on Hungary in their European Championship opener. Empty or only partly full stadiums have become the norm during the Covid-19 pandemic, often creating a sterile atmosphere for players and viewers alike. But the Hungarian government has bucked the trend, allowing a full-capacity crowd at the newly built arena, at the behest of football-mad Prime Minister Viktor Orban. PHOTO: REUTERS
Some people doubted whether, after a long and arduous season, 36-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo could still produce the goods for his country, but after Portugal’s 3-0 win over Hungary in their Euro 2020 opener on Tuesday, the doubters have their answer.

  • Ronaldo has represented his country at every Euros since Portugal hosted the tournament in 2004 and has now played five Euros - a feat no player has matched so far.

  • Ronaldo has scored in every Euro he has taken part in and when he scored a penalty against Hungary. He became the only player to score in five different Euros. 

  • Juventus superstar netted twice against Hungary to move beyond France's Michel Platini as the record goalscorer at European Championship finals, taking his tally to 11.

  • At 36 years, 130 days, Ronaldo became oldest player to score for Portugal at a major tournament, breaking the record set by Pepe at World Cup 2018 (35 years, 124 days).

Some people doubted whether, after a long and arduous season, 36-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo could still produce the goods for his country, but after Portugal's 3-0 win over Hungary in their Euro 2020 opener on Tuesday, the doubters have their answer.

Portugal, the champions in 2016, came into the rearranged tournament as one of the favourites given the attacking talent at coach Fernando Santos' disposal.

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After Portugal's fortunate opener six minutes from time, it was all about Ronaldo, who added a coolly taken third 177 seconds after firing home from the penalty spot.

The way in which he remained calm before rounding the goalkeeper for his second of the night proved that even when not at his best, his potency in front of goal, when it matters, remains as lethal as ever.

That is now 106 international goals for the veteran, three off the all-time record set by Iran's Ali Daei.

The desire for more goals and records remains stronger than ever. After this imposing start to the tournament, few would bet against Ronaldo surpassing Daei and adding one more accolade to his ever-growing list before Euro 2020 is out.

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