5 times Cristiano Ronaldo mesmerised with his performance

#1 Sweden vs Portugal, World Cup 2014 Qualification (Playoffs)

Ronaldo played perhaps the single most decisive game of his career for his country in their 2014 World Cup qualification campaign. While their eventual tournament result was a hugely disappointing exit, this game has become a reference point for Ronaldo’s career as one of the key moments when he proved to be decisive for his team.

Portugal and Sweden were drawn against each other in one of the best playoff fixtures in World Cup qualifying history. With a partisan Swedish home support cheering their players on, the home team commanded 62% possession in the game.

Portugal relied primarily on Cristiano’s pace on the break to maintain a goal threat, and he duly obliged with a goal in the early stages of the second half. Sweden then took the lead on the night with a quickfire brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, levelling the tie in the process.

Ronaldo refused to back down, and he answered back with 2 more goals on the counterattack which took Portugal through, 4-2 on aggregate. Critics remark that it is this game and the subsequent Ballon D’Or vote recount that led to Ronaldo winning the 2013 trophy.