Euro 2016: Analysing Ronaldo's performance in each match as Portugal become Kings of Europe

Portugal’s road to the European Championship finals has been a tale of grit, winning ugly and just doing enough to be better than the opponent on that given day. And Ronaldo has been in the thick of it. The teenager who bawled his heart out when Portugal lost to Greece in the final of Euro 2004 has been in the thick of the action in Euro 2016. On and off the field, Ronaldo has absolutely dominated headlines. In the news after being irked by a reporter’s questions and throwing his mike into a lake, this hasn’t been vintage Ronaldo but he has never stopped trying. 

Even when he was taken out of the match by a Dimitri Payet tackle, Ronaldo emerged to cheer on his teammates and acted like the assistant manager on the touchline barking instructions. 

Here’s analysis of each of his performances:

Group stages

Portugal 1- 1 Iceland

Portugal’s first match saw Iceland make a statement of intent as the Icelanders showed everyone that they meant business. While Ronaldo was a picture of frustration, registering a single attempt on target, Bikir Bjarnason’s second-half volley cancelled out Nani’s early goal which led Ronaldo to throw a fit and claim that Iceland showed a small team’s mentality.

Portugal 0-0 Austria

The second match against Austria was even worse as the team failed to score against lowly Austria and match ended 0-0, in which Ronaldo missed a penalty. At times Ronaldo was actually hampering the team, as he demanded passes when teammates were in better scoring positions. Despite a host of opportunities, this was one of Ronaldo’s worst matches in a Portuguese shirt.

Portugal 3-3 Hungary     

This was the match when the real Ronaldo finally turned up as he literally refused to give up to make sure that Portugal somehow crossed the line and reached the group stages. Portugal came back from being a goal down three times in the match and it was Ronaldo’s heroics which ensured it. Pumped up after throwing a reporter’s mike into the lake, Ronaldo first set up Nani to make it 1-1 before scoring with an audacious backheel and then a thumping header that would’ve made Alan Shearer proud.

In the earlier formats, Portugal would’ve been out but more teams mean that Portugal came third and actually got an easier bracket than the team that came second (Iceland). In fact, Ronaldo ought to thank the Icelanders for never giving up and scoring a late goal which ensured that Iceland would face England while Portugal had the relatively easier path to the final.

Round of 16 KO Match

Croatia 0-1 Portugal (After Extra Time)

If Ronaldo's performance against Hungary was inspired, his showing against Croatia was terrible. He continually missed clear-cut chances that he would’ve scored in sleep and basically just had one attempt at goal. Despite all this, he had the final say when Croatia’s keeper Danijel Subasic failed to clear his shot and Ricardo Quaresma was there to head it home. In the end, Ronaldo did have a say.

Quarter Final: Portugal 1-1 Poland (Portugal win 5-3 on penalties)

Dubbed the Battle of Bores, Ronaldo was woeful throughout the match as new wonder kid Renato Sanchez seized the opportunity to show his class. The all-action midfielder stole the limelight even though Ronaldo had the last say as he stepped up to take the first penalty and dispatched it with ease. 

Semi-final: Portugal 2-0 Wales

And finally the semi-finals pitted two Galacticos against each other. Ronaldo v/s Bale, the man many have painted as his heir apparent at Real Madrid and up till that point Bale actually had the better tournament. Many claimed that it was time for people to start saying that it was Bale who was the better player but Ronaldo had other plans as he turned in an attacking masterclass as he mustered up an assist and a thumping header to end Wales’ triumphant run. This was the first match Portugal won in normal time in the tournament but it set up a final with hosts France.

Final Portugal 1-0 France (After Extra time)

The final ended in heart-break for Ronaldo as the Portuguese captain was stretchered off with an injury. It was one of the most tragic moments in world football, as Ronaldo realised that he wouldn't be able to help his country win the tournament. However, a patched up Ronaldo did return on the touchline as he barked instructions at his teammates.  Teammates Cedric Soares said: "In half-time, Cristiano had fantastic words for us. He gave us a lot of confidence and said 'listen people, I'm sure we will win, so stay together and fight for it."It was really unbelievable. I think all the team had a fantastic attitude. And we showed tonight when you fight as one you are much much stronger."

At times, he even emulated his old manager Sir Alex Ferguson as he stood pointing to his watch and Eder's amazing goal in extra-time meant that Ronaldo finally would have the trophy he'd waited his entire life to win.