Russia 0 Portugal 1: Cristiano Ronaldo reminds Real Madrid what he is worth with winner in Confederations Cup clash
Manchester United target headed home after just eight minutes for the European Champions
CRISTIANO RONALDO put his tax problems to the back of his mind with the winning goal in Portugal's Confederations Cup clash with Russia.
The Real Madrid man has told his super agent Jorge Mendes to secure him a return to Manchester United after the Spanish authorities started pressing him for £13m.
But he proved he's worth every penny for the clubs interested in whisking him away with another match-winning header after just eight minutes of action.
The narrow win over the hosts puts Portugal top of Group A with four points after they dropped a couple in their opening draw with Mexico.
Ronaldo's early goal stunned Russia but they improved dramatically in the second half and did their best to peg back the visitors.
Portugal took the lead when Bruno Alves floated a cross to the far post, where Ronaldo had the simple task of heading home.
The Old Trafford target celebrated as he often does, curling his lips and softly waving his open hands, as if telling everyone to calm down.
Russia decided to let Portual keep the ball and wait for a counter-attack but it was not forthcoming.
The home didn’t have a sniff at goal until just before the break, Fedor Smelov was teed up with ten yards between him and the goal but he fluffed his lines.
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Swiftly after the break it was almost 2-0. Andre Silva had the goal gaping but his powerful header was poorly directed and was tipped away by the keeper.
Just when it looked like Russia were back in the game, Ronaldo missed a sitter from THREE yards. A goal-mouth scramble fell perfectly to him but he somehow missed the target.
Luckily for the world’s most sought-after footballer, tax problems and all, he had done just enough – again.