Ronaldo the wrecking ball

Portugal will be at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Cristiano Ronaldo saw to it with a hat-trick that ended Sweden’s chances of reaching the tournament. Ibrahimovic scored both of Sweden’s goals (3-2), but came up short on the night.

The Real Madrid man was once again unstoppable. He opened the scoring in the 50th minute when he culminated a speedy counterattack with a left-footed shot across goal.

Despite facing an uphill struggle (needing three goals to go through), Sweden reacted strongly and equalised through Ibrahimovic in the 67th minute, when the PSG striker headed home from a corner.

Ibrahimovic then gave Sweden the lead (2-1) in the 71st minute with a powerful shot that Portugal’s goalkeeper, Rui Patricio really should have done better with.

It was then that Cristiano Ronaldo reappeared to put an end to Sweden's come-back, equalising from a counterattack similar to that of his first goal. CR7 finished the job soon after with Portugal’s third of of the game, also from a counterattack.


/Marca/