Ronaldo scores four as Portugal flatten nine-man Andorra

World Cup 2018 Qualifier - Aveiro stadium, Aveiro, Portugal - 07/10/16. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal against Andorra – REUTERS

Reuters: Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals, including two in the first five minutes, to lead European champions Portugal to a 6-0 win over nine-man Andorra in their World Cup qualifier on Friday.

It was the Portugal captain’s fourth hat-trick or his country and the first time he has scored four in an international, taking his tally to 65 goals in 134 appearances.

The win got Portugal off the mark in Group B after a shock 2-0 defeat away to Switzerland in their opening game last month when Ronaldo was missing through injury.

However, they are still three points behind Switzerland, who won 3-2 in Hungary, and also trail the Faroe Islands, who have four points after winning 2-0 in Latvia.

“We knew that the first goal would be really important against a team which puts 11 players behind the ball,” said Ronaldo.

“I know I am important as are all the other players. I have always given everything for the national team, I feel useful and I’m happy to be back after that injury in the European championship. There are eight games to go and we want to win all eight to go to the World Cup.”