We can all breath easy. Cristiano Ronaldo is fine.
After a massive scoreless streak of one game, Ronaldo needed less than eight minutes to finally get back on the scoresheet against Russia.
Ronaldo came into the Confederations Cup with a five-match scoring streak, having scored 48 goals in 52 starts during the 2016-17 campaign. But the Portuguese star couldn’t even score in the 2-2 draw with Mexico in the tournament opener.
With all the news buzzing about his possible departure from Real Madrid and his tax charges, could the maelstrom surrounding Ronaldo be getting to him?
Nah.
Raphael Guerreiro lobbed a back-post cross for Ronaldo to effortlessly head home in the eighth minute and all was right with the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo gets his 74th goal for Portugal to put them up 1-0 early! @Powerade #RUSPOR #ConfedCup https://t.co/gY7R2uPyWD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 21, 2017
The goal meant Ronaldo has goals in three World Cups, four Euros and, now, the Confederations Cup. In total, he’s scored in eight different major international competitions, though nine of his 13 big-tournament goals have come in the Euros and only three in World Cups.
He has 74 goals for Portugal and 603 total for club and country.
Ronaldo was the only one who could breach the goal of Igor Afinkeev, the Russian goalkeeper who marked his 100th cap Wednesday by making five strong saves.
In contrast, Portugal goalie Rui Patricio could’ve taken a nap. He didn’t need to make a single save, with all 10 of Russia's shots going off target.
Nonetheless, after earning three draws in the group stage at the Euros last year before winning the tournament, Portugal now has a win and four total points after two matches.
And, most importantly, Ronaldo scored. And when Ronaldo scores, Ronaldo is happy.
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