Cristiano Ronaldo continued his incredible run of form as he scored twice and created another to ensure Portugal consolidated second place in World Cup Qualifying Group B with a convincing 3-0 win over Latvia.

Fresh from leading Real Madrid to Champions League glory with a brace against Juventus in Cardiff last weekend, Ronaldo was in inspired form once again as his predatory instincts came to the fore in an entertaining encounter in Riga.

Having twice been denied by the superb Andris Vanins, the 32-year-old was in the right place at the right time to tuck in Portugal’s opener on the stroke of half-time.

Another point-blank header saw Ronaldo double his tally 63 minutes in, before he teed up strike-partner Andre Silva for Portugal’s third soon after.

Ronaldo’s inspired display was not enough to lift Portugal up to top spot in Group B, however, with Switzerland staying three points ahead courtesy of their win over the Faroe Islands.

Latvia started brightly, though it was Portugal who should have opened the scoring inside 12 minutes – veteran defender Bruno Alves unable to beat Vanins from close range.

 

Having stayed forward following a free-kick, Jose Fonte rose highest to head Raphael Guerreiro’s cross goalwards and, though the post came to Latvia’s rescue, Ronaldo was on hand to nod home from inside the six-yard box.

While Ronaldo continued to pepper Vanins’ goal at the other end, Rui Patricio finally had a save to make shortly before the hour-mark, reacting well to parry away Olegs Laizans’ free-kick.

Ronaldo was denied a penalty and then found the side-netting as he searched for a hat-trick, but it mattered little as Portugal cruised to a simple victory.

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