There can be more than one analytical truth for each fact. It always depends on the angle we look at it from. Ronaldo has never scored against Germany. That’s right, and it’s something that German journalists with whom we come across repeat almost incessantly. Whenever Portugal and Germany faced each other, Neuer always charged against Ronaldo.
Yes that’s right. Face the captain of the national team Team On four occasions, always in the last stages of major international tournaments, without ever scoring a goal. It was the same at the 2006 World Cup (1-3), at Euro 2008 (2-3), at Euro 2012 (0-1) and at the 2014 World Cup (0-4). CR7 had 360 minutes on the field and didn’t score a goal. Yes that’s right. She did not even quarrel with the Germans. Yes that’s right.
But, as with almost everything in life, there is another angle to the analysis. And that now has to do with Manuel Neuer, the starting goalkeeper for the German national team: aged 35, 1.93 metres, world champion in 2014 and with 101 appearances for team AA. Well, Ronaldo scored no less than nine (!) goals for him.
Yes, that’s right: nine. or nine, if Noir has access to this text. The saga began on April 25, 2012, the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final, Real Madrid – Bayern, at the Santiago Bernabeu (2-1). CR7 scored after the sixth minute from the penalty spot. Eight minutes later, the second goal after a pass from Ozil.
A little more than two years later, on April 29, 2014, in the second leg of the semi-final at the Allianz Arena, he scored two more goals against Bayern (4-0). De Noir. Real Madrid scored two goals until the 20th minute, then Ronaldo returned in the 34th and 90th minutes to the arena. 3-0? Like this: a super fast counterattack, a good job by Benzema, accelerating and helping Bale, an easy finish for CR7. 4-0? Like this: a direct free kick with the ball passed under the barrier.
Three more years, and on April 12, 2017, in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, again at the Allianz Arena (2-1). Bayern were winning 1-0 when the Portuguese re-emerged at the highest level. 1-1? Like this (47′): a cross by Carvajal, right-footed by CR7 puts the ball into the back of Neuer’s net. 1-2? Like this (77 minutes): Asensio cross, right-footed goal from CR7.
Six days later, on April 18, 2017, Ronaldo’s first hat-trick against Neuer, in the match between Real Madrid and Bayern (4-2): 1-1? Like this: a cross from Carvajal, headed by Ronaldo’s goal (76). 2-2? Like this: Marco Asensio’s left-footed cross (104′). 3-2? Like this: Marcelo’s pass, Ronaldo (109′) back.
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