Ronaldo treble sinks Northern Ireland
CAPTAIN Cristiano Ronaldo fired home a 15 minute hat-trick as ten men Portugal defeated nine men Northern Ireland 4-2, at Windsor Park, last night.
The Real Madrid man sparked a Portuguese come-back, this despite taking the lead thanks to Bruno Alves goal, but Michael O’Neill’s side came storming back and went in front thanks to goals from Gareth McAuley and Jamie Ward.
In between those goals, Portugal’s Helder Postiga was red-carded for a headbutt on McAuley, but the game changed as the home side had two men dismissed themselves with Chris Brunt and Kyle Lafferty rightfully sent-off by Dutch referee Danny Makkelie and after that Ronaldo stole the show.
After the game at Windsor Park, Manchester United winger Luis Nani, fresh from signing a new five year deal with the Old Trafford out-fit, spoke to reporter’s in the mix-zone.