Hours after archrival, Lionel Messi, broke another record to help Argentina qualify for the Copa America final, Cristiano Ronaldo, delivered the perfect response with a superb display for Portugal at the 2016 European Championship.
The Real Madrid superstar grabbed two goals for Fernando Santos’ men as they were held 3-3 by Hungary.
His brace in Lyon means he is the only player to score in four consecutive Euro tourneys and takes the spotlight off Messi, at least for the time being.
Messi, 28, became Argentina’s all-time record goalscorer with his beautiful strike against USA – surpassing Gabriel Batistuta’s mark of 54 goals.
The Barcelona forward, who despite struggling with match fitness, has shone in the US – scoring five times including a hat-trick against Panama on June 11.
His contributions have seen Gerardo Martino’s men edge closer towards their first continental triumph in 23 years.
And just when Messi was busy banging in the goals, Ronaldo on the other hand, was receiving criticism for failing to score or inspire Portugal in France.
The European Championship was seen as the last hurdle for the 31-year-old, who after winning the UEFA Champions League last season, was touted as favourite for the Ballon d’Or crown.
His form and exploits last season which saw him net 51 goals were miles above Messi’s 33 but the Euros simply didn’t go as planned for the Nike ambassador.
Shocking stalemates against Iceland and Hungary in their first two group games frustrated Ronaldo who equalled and broke his country’s record for appearance in both games.
And the fact that he failed to score from the spot in one of the games further irritated the Portugal skipper.
After criticising Iceland players for having a “small mentality”, he told Uefa: “It was a goal to be the most-capped international player and to be the national team’s top scorer.
“But I’m a bit sad because this wasn’t the way I wanted to break this record.”
But his strikes against Hungary has somewhat come as consolidation for the former Manchester United man whose goals secured his nation a place in the last 16.
His first came from his 24th strike of the tournament – drawing Portugal level for the second time in the game – with Nani scoring the first.
The 31-year-old – who set another record by playing in his 17th match at European Championship finals, surpassing Lilian Thuram and Edwin van der Sar – produced a typically sublime piece of skill as he met Joao Mario’s cross with a back flick for his first goal of the night and a clinical header for his second.
Portugal finished in third behind Iceland and Hungary but qualified as one of the third best teams.
