Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool ace Diogo Jota combined perfectly to respond in brilliant fashion to Lionel Messi’s five-goal haul for Argentina on Sunday night
Cristiano Ronaldo responded to Lionel Messi’s antics on Sunday night in the only way he knows how – by scoring goals for fun.
Diogo Jota played a big part as well, setting up the Manchester United frontman with the Liverpool star having a huge role in two of the goals. Overall, it was a strong showing from Portugal in a competition they have grown to love.
It was the Selecao that won the inaugural Nations League in 2019 and they will be hopeful of repeating that feat after making a powerful start to this season’s competition. Much might rely on whether Ronaldo will be around for the final, though, but he has shown no signs of slowing down.
Portugal put Switzerland to the sword after thrashing them 4-0 and it all started via Ronaldo – whose free-kick was only parried by Gregor Kobel. The rebound was scored by William Carvalho but 20 minutes the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had his goal.
Jota teed up the 37-year-old to smash home from 12 yards while the Reds forward’s effort was followed in by Ronaldo to score his second. Joao Cancelo completed the result after netting from 20 yards after another error from Kobel.
Portugal are unbeaten in their first two matches of the National League this summer after drawing with Spain on Thursday. Luis Enrique’s men missed the chance to draw level with Fernando Santos’ men after managing just a draw against Czech Republic, though it could have been worse had it not been for a late equaliser.
It means that the Portuguese are on top on goal difference while they will take on the Czechs on Thursday.
Ronaldo’s brace takes his total tally for his country to an incredible 117 throughout his career – though Messi will be hoping to catch him soon. And with the way he is scoring for Argentina at the moment, that might not be impossible.
The Paris Saint-Germain man had his own dream night after scoring all five goals in Argentina’s friendly victory over Estonia. After swatting Italy aside in the Finalissima on Wednesday, this was another fine night for the South American champions.
Messi provided two assists against Italy while he took centre stage on Sunday night in Pamplona, where the friendly against Estonia took place. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s first came from the penalty spot before adding two more before half-time.
With no hope of a comeback, the 34-year-old continued to boss proceedings by netting another two – the first time he has scored five for his country. However, at club level he found the net five times before in a 7-1 win for Barcelona against Bayer Leverkusen back in 2012
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