World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Nov 19, 2013 at 7.45pm UK

Sweden
2-3
Portugal

Ibrahimovic (68', 72')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Ronaldo (50', 77', 79')

Cristiano Ronaldo fires Portugal to World Cup

By Subhankar Mondal, Reporter | 19 November 2013

Cristiano Ronaldo scores a hat-trick in Stockholm as Portugal beat Sweden 3-2 in the second leg of their playoff tie to qualify for the World Cup finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a second-half hat-trick against Sweden to help Portugal qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals.

The Real Madrid forward's three goals in Stockholm saw Paulo Bento's side win the second leg of their playoff tie 3-2 and progress 4-2 on aggregate.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Sweden during their World Cup play-off match on November 19, 2013 © AFP

All five goals in the game came in the second half after an opening 45 minutes that had plenty of action but no end product.

Ronaldo broke the deadlock at the Friends Arena in the 50th minute when he turned home Joao Moutinho's through-ball past Andreas Isaksson.

Sweden stepped up their game thereafter and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice in the space of five minutes, first with a header from Kim Kallstrom's corner and then with a free kick that left visiting goalkeeper Rui Patricio with no chance of making a save.

However, Ronaldo went one better than the Paris Saint-Germain striker and completed his hat-trick by the 79th minute with two goals in as many minutes.

First, the 28-year-old collected Hugo Almeida's through-ball and fired home with his left foot, and then rounded Isaksson for an easy finish from close range.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal against Sweden during their World Cup play-off match on November 19, 2013 © AFP