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'Total freak': Football world erupts over 'unbelievable' Ronaldo act

Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured right) celebrating after scoring the equaliser (pictured left) against Atalanta in the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured right) scored twice in the match against Atalanta in the Champions League. (Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again bailed out coach Ole Solskjaer after scoring a dramatic 92nd minute equaliser to snare Manchester United a point in the Champions League.

Following a tumultuous two weeks at the helm of United, Solskjaer needed Ronaldo to once again rescue the team after the Portuguese netted both equalisers for the Red Devils to grab a point in Italy against Atalanta.

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Josip Ilicic and Duvan Zapata had each put the Bergamo hosts in front but United stay top of Group F on goal difference from Villarreal, who beat Young Boys 2-0.

Despite yet another poor showing from United, Ronaldo produced a stunning finish in stoppage time to rescue a point.

The football world went crazy over yet another stoppage time finish from 'Mr Champions League', as he drove a blistering volley through a sea of players into the back net.

United legend Rio Ferdinand praised Ronaldo for his goal scoring feats.

"People say [Ronaldo] doesn’t work hard enough but he does the hardest thing in the game - score goals," he said on BT Sport coverage.

"At that critical moment he steps up - in any country, in any stadium, at any time. He just arrives on the biggest occasions and delivers."

Former players such as Michael Owen and Gary Lineker also praised the genius of Ronaldo.

Too make matters worse, star defender Raphael Varane limped off before half-time.

This had a number of fans worried ahead of United's match with Manchester City on the weekend.

Champions League wrap

Robert Lewandowski has scored a hat-trick, set up another goal and missed a penalty in his 100th Champions League appearance as Bayern Munich crushed Benfica 5-2 to cruise into the last 16 with two matches to spare.

Juventus booked their spot in the knockout stage after a double from Argentine striker Paulo Dybala steered them to a 4-2 win over Zenit St Petersburg.

There were wins for title-holders Chelsea and Barcelona while Wolfsburg coach Florian Kohfeldt enjoyed a winning debut.

Lewandowski opened the scoring in Munich by heading in from close-range after Kingsley Coman danced to the byline.

The Polish forward had a lively start as he assisted Serge Gnabry's back-heeled second and missed a penalty inside the first half.

Leroy Sane (pictured) reacting during the UEFA Champions League group E match between FC Bayern München and SL Benfica at Allianz Arena on November 02, 2021 in Munich, Germany.
Leroy Sane (pictured) during the UEFA Champions League group E match between FC Bayern München and SL Benfica at Allianz Arena on November 02, 2021 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Matzke - sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)

Leroy Sane grabbed the third soon after the restart with a brilliant volley and Lewandowski marked his century by completing his hat-trick with a chip and a lob over keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Benfica had started well and had a goal disallowed but were ultimately outclassed by the 2020 champions despite Morato's header cutting the deficit to 2-1 and Darwin Nunez's late consolation in between Lewandowski's 80th and 81st in the elite competition.

Benfica fell to third in Group E, two points behind Barcelona, who won 1-0 at Dynamo Kiev to stay six behind Bayern.

Sergi Barjuan continued as caretaker coach for Barca and saw Ansu Fati smash home the 71st minute winner to put the team in control of second place, before hosting Benfica in the penultimate round.

Juventus are toiling in Serie A but stayed perfect in Group H thanks to Dybala's double, the second with a retaken penalty, and goals from Federico Chiesa and Alvaro Morata against Zenit.

Chelsea, three points behind, host Juventus next but are also on the verge of the knockout stage after Hakim Ziyech struck the only goal for a 1-0 win away to Malmo.

with AAP

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