Cristiano Ronaldo's Greatest Ever Goals for Portugal
By Mitch Wilks
Scoring once to reach 100 international goals wasn't enough for Cristiano Ronaldo this week.
His brace against Sweden put him onto 101 strikes at international level for Portugal, making him only the second men's player ever to reach 100 goals.
He currently sits eight goals away from top men's international goalscorer Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals for Iran, but it's unlikely he'll be second for long.
Since receiving senior international honours for the first time in November 2003, Ronaldo has transformed into one of football's greatest ever players and carried his national side to new heights. He was instrumental in their Euro 2016 victory and their 2018 Nations League victory, and his individual accolades and domestic trophy cabinet speak for themselves.
To celebrate Ronaldo's latest achievement, here's a look back at his greatest strikes while wearing the shirt of A Seleção...
1. Portugal vs Russia (2004)
His sixth goal for his country was a standout effort, and his second in their 7-1 thrashing of Russia.
Ronaldo cut inside from the left flank and used the time he's afforded to smash a rocket past the goalkeeper. Reverse Robben-y.
2. Free Kick vs Slovakia (2005)
An early glimpse of what would become a trademark of his game, Ronaldo rifled a free kick home from the left-hand side of the 18-yard box, extending Portugal's lead to 2-0 in fine fashion.
3. Solo Stunner vs Kazakhstan (2006)
Another vintage Ronaldo finish, the winger was an unstoppable dribbler from wide in his youth.
Ronaldo picked the ball up deep on the left side, before running at defenders with blistering pace, cutting inside and smashing home into the far corner.
4. Close Range vs Armenia (2007)
A finish that goes under the radar, but which was perhaps a glimpse into the future and another showcase of his wide catalogue of skill – Ronaldo tucked home a tidy finish against Armenia in August 2007.
He read an error from the defence and used supreme footwork to roll the ball over, confuse the keeper and poke home from close range.
5. Free Kick vs Iceland (2010)
His 25th goal for the national team came in style. Obviously.
Ronaldo, captain of the national team at this point, gave Portugal the lead against Iceland in October 2010 with a spectacular, long-range free kick that dipped over the wall and zipped past the goalkeeper.
6. Free Kick vs Denmark (2011)
It wasn't enough to rescue a win or even a draw for his side, but consolation goals don't come much better than this.
In injury time and with Portugal 2-0 down, Ronaldo sent a free kick flying into the top right corner in trademark, knuckle-ball style.
WWE's Michael Cole would call it 'vintage Cristiano Ronaldo'.
7. Hat-Trick vs Armenia (2015)
Another game, another hat-trick.
Ronaldo's three goals secured an important three points for Portugal in their Euro 2016 qualifiers, but he saved the best for last. He received the ball in the air on the half-turn and used the space ahead of him to smash one into the top right corner.
Keeper had no chance. Again.
8. Header vs Estonia (2016)
Now into his later years, Ronaldo had adapted his game by this point to become more of a poacher and ensure the easy strikes from inside the box went in.
Ronaldo accurately placed a bullet header into the roof of the net from a tremendous, trivela cross from Ricardo Quaresma.
9. Flick vs Hungary (2016)
Diving headers not take your fancy? Not to worry.
Ronaldo's star performance throughout the entire Euro 2016 was started early on. He bagged a brace against Hungary in the group stages, the first goal of which came via an intelligent flick and a touch of brilliance to send the ball into the net.
It was a nice reminder that Ronaldo is still comfortably one of the most skilful players on the planet.
10. Header vs Wales (2016)
Another clutch performance at Euro 2016, Ronaldo scored in Portugal's 2-0 win over Wales in the semi-final.
The ball flew in from the corner, Ronaldo popped up in a crowded box and leapt higher than any other man on the pitch to head the ball home. Seriously, so high.
The goal was vital in sending Portugal to the final, which they ended up winning to be crowned 2016 European Champions – albeit with Ronaldo himself going off injured early in the showpiece game.
11. Free Kick vs Spain (2018)
Another instance of Ronaldo carrying his side at a major tournament, they don't come much better than this.
Portugal trailed Spain 3-2 at the 2018 Russian World Cup despite Ronaldo already scoring a brace. That wasn't enough though, and he levelled the game in the 90th minute with an incredible free kick, completing his hat-trick and leaving David de Gea helpless.
12. Hat-Trick vs Switzerland (2018)
Another big performance in another big game for his country, Ronaldo's hat-trick sent Portugal to the final of the first ever Nations League.
His third was vintage Ronaldo; taking the ball and running at his man before beating him with tight step-overs and pinging the ball into the far right corner in composed fashion.
His side went on to win the tournament.
13. 100th International Goal vs Sweden (2020)
The goal that cements his legacy - as if it needed cementing anymore - as a true icon of the sport, Ronaldo's 100th strike was bound to be special.
It could've been a tap-in or a penalty, but no. In vintage fashion, the captain smashed the ball home from a free kick in true poetic fashion.
One wasn't enough, obviously, so he bagged his 101st in the same game.