Manchester United’s Portuguese Star winger Cristiano Ronaldo had his 50th Champions League appearance yesterday as a starter against Arsenal.

Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as a hero for firing Manchester United through to the semis with a 40-yard wonder goal at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto in what was his 49th Champions League appearance as a Red Devil player.

Click here to watch two great videos

John O’Shea opened the score line on 17 minute with a fine strike from inside the box and this proved to be the only goal of the match. Manchester United were dominant throughout the whole of the game but could not manage to score more.

Cristiano Ronaldo came very close to doubling the Red Devils’ lead but his bullet header from close range was saved by Arsenal’s impressive keeper on the night, Manuel Almunia. The fleet-footed number 7 enjoyed a good game and his presence with the ball at his feet was always a problem for Arsenal’s defenders to solve.

Ronaldo created some good chances for his teammates to score – squaring the ball from the wings to the center area, and he also had one on his own which he created out of nowhere; Cristiano Ronaldo was inches away to scoring yet another screamer from long range. But his daring effort – which beat Almunia this time – saw the ball fly from distance to hit the crossbar.

It will have been a perfect night for Cristiano Ronaldo if he had got the double he deserved. All the same, the European defending champions still have the edge going in Tuesday’s second leg at the Emirates. Can they finish up the foundation they laid last night?

Cristiano Ronaldo interview after the match:

John O’Shea’s 17th minute goal:

Written by: Angela Asante