When You Don't Realize You Are Playing Against Cristiano Ronaldo

Fresh from one of the greatest triumphs, Cristiano Ronaldo, fresh into the UEFA Nations League for the very first time. That's an absolute gift, Ronaldo Silva finds Ronaldo and that is a major let-off. Ronaldo can't believe he's missed it. Neves, Ronaldo, who left Schär for dead. But they did manage to stop him by foul means rather than fair. Lovely bit of skill to turn away from Schär. He's gone through the old routine. A special strike from one of the special players and Portugal have the breakthrough. Well, it'll be interesting to see the role the wall played here. Did it stand strong? If it did, what was Jan Sommer doing? Did he gamble? Did he go to his right? Yeah, it so often happens, the keeper trying to anticipate where the free-kick taker is going to put it and he gets wrong. And the ball we're so familiar to seeing. Ronaldo, Ronaldo. Contend with in the early moments of this second half. Cristiano Ronaldo looking to change that. Three up. Silva, under his spell, brilliant play. It's him again. He reigns supreme once more for a regal contribution from Bernardo Silva in the build-up. Well, that's the hallmark of a special, special player. As we know, this fellow is. He hasn't been at his best and I did wonder if he would get a chance before the 90 minutes were up and would he be able to take it? And he comes alive in this situation. Ronaldo hat-trick hunting. And the celebrations tell you all you need to know about what the Nations League means to these players. When will this man ever stop performing heroics in this fashion? He has done it again. And there he is, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo captains Portugal tonight against their biggest rivals. There's one Real Madrid man who won't mind what's going on this week. Cristiano Ronaldo, 15 goals in qualifying, but this is a Portugal side that proved to be much more than a one-man band at Euro 2016. Real Madrid teammates, one grinning, the other grimacing. Nice little counter-attack, absolutely brilliant. Ronaldo, you think he's going to take himself, look at that front touch. They're on the attack and here's Quedes. Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo is the man who has lit the flame. Here goes Ronaldo, this game and his team by the scruff of the neck. But here's Ronaldo, it is only 3-2 and that's a foul by Gerard Pique. Be hard otherwise. It's Ronaldo. The world has enjoyed it but Cristiano Ronaldo has owned it. Ronaldo comprehensively won the first clash of the footballing titans on Friday. Could this be the night for Zlatan to shine? Ronaldo, wide it goes with an adhesive first touch. Some space has opened up. Mane's exit hangs on, it's a decent strike but it's not the most powerful shot that Ronaldo has ever struck. Mane ducked underneath it, Ronaldo coming in. Beating the ground in frustration, it would have been some goal had it hit the target. Chances just keep coming but this is a very, very difficult opportunity even for a world-class footballer. Ronaldo's in behind here and that spells danger. Almeida's up there with him. And he cannot take the chance. He's quite able to pick a pass. This is Fabio Quintro, he might pick a way through. Ronaldo and his exit is there again. Ronaldo and Almeida offside. What a beautiful ball. Now it's Cristiano Ronaldo with a chance maybe to seal it. And he has taken a step closer to Brazil. Thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo. It's a fabulous ball but as soon as Ronaldo takes his first touch here you pretty much know what is going to happen because in world football in front of goal this man is absolutely devastating. And as the game started to open up Sweden had a great chance to score the opening goal but straight down the other end Ronaldo, well he just doesn't pass up chances like this and Isakson, absolutely no chance of stopping it. Is that the moment that kills the Swedish dream? Cristiano Ronaldo, the man who's missed for a free kick. That's beautiful. And once again leading the personal battle. He may just have finally. It's a chance for Ronaldo again. Hat-trick. But his movement, his first touch and his finishing tonight has just been extraordinary. This is so renowned in world football. His finishing ability, everything about his game is top-notch and tonight has just shown why he is the very, very best in the world. What a stunning moment. Which is a genius from Cristiano. Just the way he dinks that ball around the corner and then he's off again. In that place, in that direct running. Too much. Here's Ronaldo. Oh, there's nothing, almost nothing beyond this man. Irrepressible, irreplaceable. A rampant Ronaldo has delivered a magnificent individual performance to end Sweden's hopes and send Portugal on their way. A hat-trick on the night, a goal in the first leg when it was all about determination, drive and will to win. Tonight, he showed real top-class finishing as well.