Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (left) celebrates a goal during the Euro 2016 Group F match against Hungary on Wednesday in Lyon, France. Photo: AFP
Portugal have yet to win at Euro 2016 and face a testing last-16 clash against Croatia but Cristiano Ronaldo's first two goals at the tournament have filled the team with confidence.
Ronaldo scored twice and Portugal came from behind three times to earn a 3-3 draw against Hungary on Wednesday, a result that allowed Fernando Santos' side to progress from Group F as one of the four best third-placed sides.
Ronaldo was under scrutiny after a poor start to the tournament as Portugal drew their opening games against Iceland and Austria.
Against Austria on Saturday, Ronaldo crashed a second-half penalty off the post but he hit back in style against Hungary with goals from a back-heel and then a powerful header.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world," Portugal winger Ricardo Quaresma told Portuguese television channel CMTV. "I've never seen a player with such a strong mentality as his. The world can fall on him but he is always ready to give his all."
Portugal's newspapers celebrated Ronaldo's heroics with A Bola's front page reading "The genius is back" and O Jogo's declaring "Ronaldo against the cosmos."
Ronaldo, Portugal's most capped player, was just happy to deliver on a night when he broke two records.
Against Hungary, the 31-year-old made a record 17th appearance at European Championship finals, allowing him to overtake former France defender Lilian Thuram and ex-Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
He also became the first player to score at four finals.
"I'm happy with the two beautiful records and as I always say, I take it naturally," Ronaldo said to O Jogo.
Portugal, who reached the semifinals of the competition four years ago before losing to Spain on penalties, take on Croatia on Saturday in Lens.
Croatia beat Spain 2-1 on Tuesday to progress as top of their group.
"Against Croatia, it's going to be 50-50," said Ronaldo, who scored 51 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Real Madrid this season. "Whoever plays better will go through."
Source: globaltimes.cn
