Ronaldo scores three times in Portugal's victory
Cristiano Ronaldo rescued Portugal with a speedy hat-trick to avoid a World Cup qualifying slip-up in Northern Ireland. The visitors were in serious danger of being knocked off the top of group F, after second-place Russia had earlier thumped Luxembourg 4-1, as they found themselves trailing 2-1 to the hosts in Belfast.
Cristiano Ronaldo rescued Portugal with a speedy hat-trick to avoid a World Cup qualifying slip-up in Northern Ireland. The visitors were in serious danger of being knocked off the top of group F, after second-place Russia had earlier thumped Luxembourg 4-1, as they found themselves trailing 2-1 to the hosts in Belfast.
Northern Ireland had previous form for upsets having stunned Russia 1-0 last month and it looked like they were heading for another when Portugal's Helder Postiga was shown a straight red card for a headbutt on Gareth McAuley just before half-time.
Northern Ireland, already out of qualifying contention, made the man advantage count early in the second half when Jamie Ward scored after a corner but Portugal's fortunes turned when Kevin Brunt was shown a second yellow to make it 10 against 10.
Then followed 15 minutes of trademark Ronaldo brilliance as he headed in two goals and scored another from a free kick to turn the match around and put Portugal on 17 points from eight games with Russia on 15 having played one game fewer.
Group E leaders Switzerland let slip a 4-1 lead to draw 4-4 with Iceland, allowing second-placed Norway to close the gap on them to four points after they beat Cyprus 2-0.
The Netherlands also had defensive questions to answer after they saw a first-minute lead secured by Arjen Robben evaporate in Tallinn where they stood seconds away from an embarrassing 2-1 defeat after a Konstantin Vassiljev double for the hosts.
