Cristiano Ronaldo scores four as Portugal thrash nine-man Andorra

By Reuters

Saturday 8 October 2016 00:07, UK

Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals, including two in the first five minutes, to lead European champions Portugal to a 6-0 win over nine-man Andorra in their World Cup qualifier on Friday.

It was the Portugal captain's fourth hat-trick for his country and the first time he has scored four in a match, taking his tally to 65 goals in 134 internationals.

The win got Portugal off the mark in Group B after a shock 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening game last month when Ronaldo was missing through injury.

Andorra's Jordi Rubio was dismissed in the 62nd minute and Marc Rebes followed nine minutes later, both for fouls on Ronaldo.

Ronaldo opened his account after 73 seconds, driving the ball home after Andorra failed to clear a corner, and headed home Ricardo Quaresma's cross in the fourth minute.

Jose Fonte was brilliantly denied by Andorra goalkeeper Josep Gomes, Andre Silva hit the bar and Ronaldo was close with another header, before Joao Cancelo added Portugal's third in the 44th minute.

Ronaldo completed his hat-trick two minutes after the re-start when he volleyed in Andre Gomes' cross and scored his fourth in the 68th minute after Fonte headed Quaresma's cross into his path.