Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick and helped Portugal clinch a World Cup spot on Tuesday in a 3-2 win.
Cristiano Ronaldo has often been criticized for failing to step up for his national side in crucial matches. While he carried the team to the semifinals in last year's Euro 2012, he received a tremendous amount of criticism for not taking a single penalty shot against Spain in the semifinals. He has also failed to score outside of the group stage in either World Cup that he has been a part of. However, the claims that he cannot step up for his nation should cease after the match on Tuesday against Sweden.
Ronaldo scored the lone goal in the opening game, but many expected Ronaldo's immediate rival Zlatan Ibrahimovic to step up and play well for his nation. Neither superstar disappointed. Ronaldo was dangerous in the first half, but had to endure the chants of "Messi Messi" from Sweden's faithful. He eventually got going early for Portugal with a goal in 50th minute off a brilliant feed from Joao Moutinho that sprung him loose. With the 2-0 aggregate, Sweden needed three to qualify; and they almost got them.
Ibrahimovic scored off a header on a corner kick in the 68th minute to tie the score and put Sweden within two of qualifying. On a free kick four minutes later, Ibrahimovic capitalized again to level the aggregate at 2-2; however, the away goal was giving the Portuguese qualification. With Portugal seemingly in disarray, Ronaldo answered the bell again as he received another pass from the midfield and darted past Sweden's defense to put Portugal up 3-2 on the aggregate. Less than two minutes later, he struck again to put up the final goal of his hat trick and his fourth of the playoff. Even Ibrahimovic could not ignore the quality of his foe and was shown applauding Ronaldo.
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