Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo sustained a nasty-looking face injury that required treatment while playing for Portugal in their 4-0 Nations League win over the Czech Republic on Saturday evening.
The 37-year-old started the game but was given a bloody nose just 13 minutes into the contest when he collided with home goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik. Ronaldo was chasing a ball played over the top of the defence, which Vaclik came out to claim.
The pair ran into each other, Vaclik’s arms thudding into the nose of Ronaldo. Play stopped for a little while but the attacker completed the rest of the game.
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Ronaldo did not get on the scoresheet in the win - and actually gave away a first-half penalty which Patrik Schick missed - but United teammate Diogo Dalot netted a brace while Bruno Fernandes also fired home before Liverpool’s Diogo Jota completed the rout thanks to Ronaldo's assist.
Spain’s shock loss to Switzerland at home means Portugal lead their Nations League group heading into the final game. If they avoid defeat to the Spaniards on Tuesday, they will go through to next summer’s finals.
It is excellent preparation for Portugal ahead of this winter’s World Cup. Ronaldo is set to captain the side in Qatar despite not being in Erik ten Hag’s first-choice United side.
He has started just three times this season, two of which have come by virtue of injuries to Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. He managed to open his account in the recent 2-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League.
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