<P> In Portugal's opening match of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup against Mexico on 17 June, Cristiano Ronaldo set - up Quaresma's opening goal in a 2--2 draw . Three days later, he scored in a 1--0 win over hosts Russia . On 24 June, he scored from a penalty in a 4--0 win over New Zealand, which saw Portugal top their group and advance to the semi-finals of the competition . With his 75th international goal, Ronaldo also equalled Sándor Kocsis as the second - highest European international goalscorer of all - time, behind only Ferenc Puskás . He was named man of the match in all three of Portugal's group stage matches . Ronaldo left the competition early: after Chile defeated Portugal 3--0 on penalties in the semi-finals, he was allowed to return home to be with his newborn children . Therefore, he missed Portugal's third - place play - off match in which Portugal defeated Mexico 2--1 after extra time . </P> <P> On 31 August 2017, Ronaldo scored a hat - trick in a 5--1 win in a World Cup qualifier over the Faroe Islands, which saw him overtake Pelé and equal Hussein Saeed as the joint - fifth - highest goalscorer in international football with 78 goals . These goals brought his tally in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers to 14, equalling Predrag Mijatović's record for most goals in a single UEFA senior men's qualifying campaign, and also saw him break the record for the most goals scored in a single European qualifying group, overtaking the previous record of 13 goals set by David Healy and Robert Lewandowski . Ronaldo's hat - trick took his World Cup qualifying goals total to 29, making him the highest scorer in European World Cup qualifiers, ahead of Andriy Shevchenko, and the highest goalscorer in World Cup qualifying and finals matches combined, with 32 goals, ahead of Miroslav Klose . Ronaldo later added to this tally by scoring a goal against Andorra in a 2--0 victory . </P> <P> In the build - up to the 2018 World Cup, Portugal hosted friendlies against Tunisia, Belgium and Algeria . Ronaldo featured in the final of the three matches in which he made his 150th international appearance . On 15 June 2018, Ronaldo became the oldest player ever to score a hat - trick in a World Cup match, helping Portugal secure a 3--3 draw against Spain in their opening match at the World Cup . In doing so, he also became the first Portuguese player to score a goal in four World Cups and one of four players to do so in total . His third goal saw him curl in a 30 yard free kick with two minutes remaining for the equaliser . His hat - trick also drew him level with Ferenc Puskás as the highest European goalscorer of all - time, with 84 international goals . In Portugal's second game on 20 June, Ronaldo scored the only goal in a 1--0 victory against Morocco, breaking Puskás' record . In the final group match against Iran on 25 June, Ronaldo missed a penalty in an eventual 1--1 draw which saw Portugal progress to the second round as group runners - up behind Spain . On 30 June, Portugal were eliminated following a 2--1 defeat to Uruguay in the last 16 . </P> <P> A versatile attacker, Ronaldo is capable of playing on either wing as well as through the centre of the pitch, and, while ostensibly right - footed, is very strong with both feet . He ranks among the world's fastest footballers, both with and without the ball . Tactically, Ronaldo has undergone several evolutions throughout his career . While at Sporting and during his first season at Manchester United, he was typically deployed as a traditional winger on the right side of midfield, where he regularly looked to deliver crosses into the penalty area . In this position, he was able to use his pace and acceleration, agility, and technical skills to take on opponents in one - on - one situations . Ronaldo became noted for his dribbling and flair, often displaying an array of tricks and feints, such as the step overs that became his trademark . </P>

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