CRISTIANO Ronaldo was the hero as Portugal's Under-21 side shocked France to book a place in Euro 2004.
The Manchester United winger stole the show against the highly-fancied French, scoring the first goal as Portugal won 2-1 to force the game to extra-time and penalties and then holding his nerve to slot home the decisive kick.
Portugal travelled to Clermont-Ferrand trailing 2-1 after the first leg but turned the tables on France, winning by the same scoreline to force the game into extra-time and penalties, with the visitors coming out on top 4-1.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after 29 minutes before reported Liverpool target Djibril Cisse levelled. Cisse was sent off, however, by English referee Rob Styles soon after.
Bruno Alves won it for Portugal in the 83rd minute before the penalty shoot-out saw Ronaldo slot home the decider.
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I saw the game and the kid was just to much for the french.Drove the french defenders mad with is pace, dribbling and skillfull movements. It was one man show.
Go Ronaldooooo!!
He should be playing regular at Old Trafford if your good enougth your old enougth not playing can effect even the best players if a player plays badly then changes can be made lets hope Giggs slots one home tonight by the way this is one race Alex won,t win. ROG
To Vito: I'd be interested to know if he played just behind the striker or out-wide, as I suspect that the former is his best position.
To john Holt: Ronaldo played as a false winger, diverting to midle many times. Thats is is best position, and not playing just wide. Is best position is just behind the striker.He is unpridictable and a nightmare for any defender as he can turn right or left and pass defenders at will. On is day and with a free roll behind the striker he is unstopable. I saw him do it in many diferent games. He just needs to play more often with MANU first team. This kid has loads of ability and is strong enought to play for first team all the time. Well managed this kid will be one of the best amd more exciting players in the worl. I wish he ad join AC Milan, but we were to late. I am a fan Ronaldo and i will be interested to know how he progresses.
Vito
Ronaldo will definitely be a threat in the hole behind a predatory striker. Problem is we need a presence on the wing. Both him and Fletcher are finding their feet with the first team right now. I'm really expecting great things in one or two seasons time though.
Hey Vito, I am sure glad that Milan did not get their hands on Cristiano..........I mean you guys have got KaKa and so on and so forth. AC Milan is already a very strong team so much so that Rivaldo cannot even command a regular first team spot! How did Ronaldo score his goal from open play in the U21 game? Will appreciate it if you can give a brief commentary on his goal and his penalty for all those people who were not as lucky as you who got the chance to witness the game live!
Quaresma did some neat turns and flicked the ball of to Ronaldo who was on the edge of the penalty area and quite central. Ronaldo side flicked it too himself and this threw the defender then Ronaldo spun round and rolled it in the far corner
Everyone is forgetting this was only an under 21 fixture lets not get too carried away plz !
He has a lot to improve on especially his diving skills.........
There is no way Ronaldo is ready to play as a 2nd striker. As great a talent as he is, Cristiano is not developed enough physically to handle premiership defenders who want to kick him from pillar to post. How many times has he been fouled this season out in the wings? Looking at his physique, he is definitely going to fill out more but he's currently a skinny pup. Let him learn his trade from the wings - his time will come.