Seeing his former Manchester United team-mate Nani free Joao Moutinho down the right, Ronaldo waited until the ensuing cross had arrived before darting past a startled defender to crash a thumping header down into the ground and up into the far corner of Petr Cech’s goal.

It was a goal to light up any occasion and Ronaldo’s subsequent celebration showed just what it meant as he arrived in rampaging style at the corner flag to greet the two players who had  created the chance for him..

There will always be those who don’t like Ronaldo, those who have tired of the posturing and the vanity. But to watch him last night was to watch a brilliant young player at work. At times he was irresistible.

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