• Cristiano Ronaldo scored all three of Portugal's goals in their 3-1 win over Switzerland in the Uefa Nations League semi-finals. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo scored all three of Portugal's goals in their 3-1 win over Switzerland in the Uefa Nations League semi-finals. Getty
  • Ronaldo celebrates his hat-trick goal. Reuters
    Ronaldo celebrates his hat-trick goal. Reuters
  • It was his first for Portugal since the World Cup in 2018. EPA
    It was his first for Portugal since the World Cup in 2018. EPA
  • Ronaldo and Portugal will now face either England or the Netherlands in the final. AP Photo
    Ronaldo and Portugal will now face either England or the Netherlands in the final. AP Photo
  • Ronaldo receives the match ball from German referee Felix Brych. EPA
    Ronaldo receives the match ball from German referee Felix Brych. EPA
  • Ronaldo applauds fans at the end of the game. AP Photo
    Ronaldo applauds fans at the end of the game. AP Photo
  • Ronaldo cannot hide his delight at the success. EPA
    Ronaldo cannot hide his delight at the success. EPA
  • Portugal can follow up winning Euro 2016 by winning the Uefa Nations League on Sunday. EPA
    Portugal can follow up winning Euro 2016 by winning the Uefa Nations League on Sunday. EPA
  • There was no surprise on who the man of the match was. Getty
    There was no surprise on who the man of the match was. Getty
  • Ronaldo celebrates in front of supporters. AP Photo
    Ronaldo celebrates in front of supporters. AP Photo
  • Ronaldo is congratulated by his teammates. AP Photo
    Ronaldo is congratulated by his teammates. AP Photo
  • Ronaldo celebrates his opening goal. EPA
    Ronaldo celebrates his opening goal. EPA
  • Ronaldo shakes hands with his teammate Jose Fonte at the final whistle. EPA
    Ronaldo shakes hands with his teammate Jose Fonte at the final whistle. EPA
  • Ronaldo celebrates finding the net for his and Portugal's opening goal. Reuters
    Ronaldo celebrates finding the net for his and Portugal's opening goal. Reuters
  • It was a night of celebration for Portugal and Ronaldo. AFP
    It was a night of celebration for Portugal and Ronaldo. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal's hat-trick hero in Uefa Nations League win - in pictures


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Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick for Portugal in 12 months as they reach the Uefa Nations League final on Wednesday night.

His treble, two of which came in the closing minutes, saw them get past Switzerland 3-1 in their semi-final in Porto.

They will now face either England or the Netherlands in Sunday's final.

It was the Juventus man's second hat-trick of the 2018-19 season, the first coming for his club side against Atletico Madrid in March, but first for his country since he bagged three goals against Spain at the World Cup in Russia last summer.

His first effort had come in the 25th minute with a free-kick, but Switzerland levelled 11 minutes after half time in controversial fashion.

Portugal thought they had won a penalty after Bernardo Silva, but VAR instead went back and saw an offence at the other end of the field moments earlier and Switzerland instead got the spot-kick, which Ricardo Rodriguez converted.

But Portugal, the European champions, were not to be denied, as Ronaldo struck in the 88th minute to restore the lead and then sealed victory in stoppage time.

England and the Netherlands play their semi-final on Thursday night in Guimaraes, with the game kicking off at 10.45pm UAE time.