It took a Portuguese to break Porto’s home record against English oppositions… Cristiano Ronaldo made history on Wednesday night.

The World Player of the Year was given the challenge by Ferguson to prove his worth following his unremarkable performance in the first leg of this quarterfinal clash and he responded in the most outraging manner.

Manchester United needed to score before they could progress to the next stage of the competition, and it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth minute wonder goal from a ridiculous range that separated the Reds from the Blues and Whites.

The former Sporting Lisbon Star received the ball from club mate and ex-Porto midfielder Anderson and then quickly tried a fierce shot after making one or two touches on the ball. It flew like a rocket, beating Porto’s keeper Helton in the process, and hit the top corner of the net… a real beauty!

Manchester United’s away fans all at once became completely ecstatic and suddenly, their voices were those of a million supporters. Cristiano Ronaldo humbly celebrated his magnificent goal, with his teammates all around him, knowing that only protection would give it some eternal glory.

Still guilty of having given the ball away without trying to get it back in the first leg, Cristiano Ronaldo displayed the performance of a real hero to brush out his costly mistake. The Star winger was all over the pitch, threatening Porto’s defense as well as closing in their attackers in midfield.

Manchester United almost made it 2-0 when Ronaldo fed Berbatov upfront with a clever pass but the Bulgarian striker just wasn’t sharp enough to dribble past his two markers.
Cristiano Ronaldo showed no signs of frustration and anger like five years ago when he was booed and jeered by the home crowd at this same venue. This time Porto’s supporters held themselves and showed some respect to the national team’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese number 7 seemed concentrated throughout the game and with the will of protecting his splendid 40 yards cracker. Porto continued to threaten in front with Van der Sar showing signs of nervousness. The 2004 Champions League winners knew that only a draw will see them edge past Manchester United on away goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a chance of his own in the dying minutes of the game. The reigning UEFA Top Scorer was just inches away from sealing his side’s victory with what would have been his second goal of the night and his third of the campaign this season. However, Helton stretched himself wide and got it right, tipping the ball away for a corner.

At this point, Manchester United were only a few minutes away from having their first clean sheet in all competitions since their 2-0 win at home to Inter Milan earlier last month.
United’s back four held on tight, and the midfielders started to play the game of keeping possession.

Then ultimately, the referee blew the final whistle to end all proceedings, meaning that Cristiano Ronaldo had sent the Red Devils triumphing over the Dragons on their own ground and into the Champions League Semis to meet Arsenal who beat Villareal 3-0 at the Emirates.

History was made yesterday with Portuguese Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo being the hero of the night. His sixth minute absolute stunner from 40 yards could go down in football’s history books as the goal of the Champions League and as the goal of the year.

Coach Alex Ferguson branded this goal as “unbelievable” and “magnificent” while Manchester United’s official website were logically forced to extend their “Goal of the Season List” early this morning.

You can never take it all out from a man that raised the bar at a very high standard last season with a scintillating performance throughout the year.

This is why Cristiano Ronaldo is the World’s Best Player in a team made of champions…

Watch C. Ronaldo warming up before the Porto game:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuKj2h7csPE[/youtube]

Watch C. Ronaldo scoring the best goal of the year:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQTtcOCHFNQ[/youtube]

Watch C. Ronaldo’s interview after the match

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wEo_-CepoI[/youtube]