After a collision on Saturday while playing for Portugal at the Nations League, Cristiano Ronaldo was covered in blood.
Manchester United forward took a nasty arm to the face from Czech Republic goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik while challenging for a header, and was left red-faced – quite literally.
Portugal’s captain was bruised and bloodied after the 13-minute clash. He was then treated by cotton with a bandaged nose and plugged with cotton.
Despite appearing in severe pain and being removed from the playing field, he still performed well. The 37-year-oldWe fought another day and we kept playing.
The normally clinical forward was still feeling the effects 10 minutes later when Bruno Fernandes pulled back a pass, only for Ronaldo not to score a first-time win.
His blushes were quickly wiped away though.Man United teammateDiogo Dalot had a great season. His surge forward was rewarded when Rafael Leao passed was calmly tapped in the full-back.
Fernandes made it two by slipping in a stunningly placed Mario Rui cross for an even simpler finish.
Ronaldo may have believed he was safe, but a stray arm from five-time Champions League winner gave the Czechs a penalty right before the break.
Ronaldo was saved once more by Euro 2020 star Patrik Schiick, who sent the spot kick wide to keep Portugal in reach.
Schick was also punished for his wastefulness in the first half, when Dalot scored from Fernandes’ assist.
Ronaldo returned from the break showing few signs of damage, and was quickly seen smiling as he celebrated his teammates’ goals, assisting Diogo Jota who made it 4-0.
