Cristiano Ronaldo beat Gareth Bale in a battle between Real Madrid’s superstar duo and registered more European Championship records as Portugal progressed to the Euro 2016 final win a 2-0 win over Wales.
Ronaldo’s bullet header from Raphael Guerreiro’s cross five minutes into the second-half blew open a cagey encounter and brought the three-time world player of the year level with Michel Platini’s record of nine goals in European Championship finals.
On a record third appearance in the Euros semis, Ronaldo also had a telling part to play in Portugal’s second as his low drive was turned home by Nani.
More records, victory and a return to the final of the Euros after the heartbreak of losing on home soil to Greece 12 years ago, left Ronaldo vindicated after a tournament in which many had questioned whether his best days were behind him at 31.
