Christiano Ronaldo Videos

Ronaldo scored from 40 yards

Cristiano Ronaldo struck a brilliant first half winner as Manchester United scraped past Porto and into the Champions League semi-finals.

Ronaldo’s monumental early strike from all of 40 yards zipped through the air and into the top left hand corner of the net.  Ronaldo later described the goal as “beautiful” and “the best I have scored” and it got United off to the perfect start.

Nemanja Vidic could have sealed things just before half time, but he missed a glorious chance; firing over from 4 yards after a Ryan Giggs corner.

United and Porto were both 100% committed to the match, leading to a midfield war-ground and few clear chances.

Lisandro Lopez could have saved Porto late on, but Edwin van der Sar easily stifled his scuffed effort.

In truth, United were deserving of their win and kept a clean sheet for the first time since beating inter 2-0 back in March.

With the win United became the first English team in history to win at Porto’s Estadio Do Dragao, a feat that cannot be underestimated.

The crowd were raucous throughout and the carnival atmosphere was something to behold.  The home fans kept good voice throughout but were out-sung by United’s famous traveling fans for much of the first half as that-boy-Ronaldo put their Red Devils in front.

Ronaldo and United will now face Arsenal in the semi-finals in what promises to be a stunning exhibition of England’s two best footballing teams.

End note:  Chelsea F.C also and Arsenal join United and Barcelona in the final four, making it 9 English teams out of the last 12 semi-finalists since 2006-07; England has had 3 teams in the semis for 3 straight years.