Portugal 6-0 Andorra: Cristiano Ronaldo nets FOUR in rout as minnows have two men sent off for kicking Real Madrid star during World Cup qualifier 

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Cristiano Ronaldo dished out brutal justice on Andorra's hatchet men by inspiring Portugal to a rout of the Group B minnows on Friday night.

The Real Madrid forward had missed the opening shock 2-0 defeat by Switzerland due to a knee injury. 

But Ronaldo was back with a bang by scoring four goals despite Andorra having two players sent off for kicking the Portuguese superstar.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened his account after 73 seconds and then headed home Ricardo Quaresma's cross (above)

Ronaldo scored four goals as Portugal ran riot in Aveiro against Group B minnows Andorra on Friday night

The Portugal talisman marked his first goal with his trademark celebration against Andorra in Aveiro

TV grabs of the two shocking tackles which led to red cards for Jordi Rubio and Marc Rebes in the second half

Ronaldo stayed on for the entire 90 minutes despite being targeted by Andorra's hatchet men during the qualifier

MATCH FACTS

Table from FIFA

Portugal: Rui Patricio,Joao Cancelo, Fonte, Pepe (Martins 72), Guerreiro (Antunes 52), Quaresma, Andre Gomes (Joao Mario 66), Joao Moutinho, Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo, Andre Silva.

Subs Not Used: Lopes, Bruno Alves, Eder, Danilo  Pereira, William Carvalho, Renato Sanches, Pizzi, Nelson Semedo, Marafona.

Booked: Pepe.

Goals: Ronaldo 2, 4,Joao Cancelo 44, Ronaldo 47, 68, Andre Silva 86.

Andorra: Josep Gomez, Jordi Rubio, Lima, Vales, Llovera, Marc Garcia (San Nicolas 49), Rodriguez, Vieira, Rebes, Cristian Martinez (Moreira 76), Alaez (Pujol 73).

Subs Not Used: Pol, Emili Garcia, Clemente, Alexandre Martinez.

Sent Off: Jordi Rubio (62), Rebes (70).

Booked: Rodriguez, Jordi Rubio, Lima.

Ref: Oliver Drachta (Austria).

Ronaldo opened his account after 73 seconds, driving the ball home after Andorra failed to clear a corner, and headed home Ricardo Quaresma's cross in the fourth minute.  

Jose Fonte was brilliantly denied by Andorra goalkeeper Josep Gomes, Andre Silva hit the bar and Ronaldo was close with another header before Joao Cancelo added Portugal's third with a mis-hit cross in the 44th minute. 

Ronaldo sealed his hat-trick in the 47th minute with a fierce volley from Andre Gomes' cross. 

It was the Portugal captain's fourth hat-trick for his country, taking his tally to 65 goals in 134 internationals. 

Andorra midfielder Jordi Rubio was sent off in the 62nd minute after receiving a second booking for a bad foul on Ronaldo.

Andorra were then reduced to nine men in the 70th minute after midfielder Marc Rebes was shown a straight red card for kicking Ronaldo.

Andre Silva sealed the rout with a deflected cross from close range in the 86th minute.

Ronaldo was left unmarked to head home his second goal in the fourth minute of the World Cup qualifier

The Portuguese talisman scored his third and Portugal's fourth goal with a crisp volley at the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro

Afterwards Ronaldo said: 'We knew that the first goal would be really important against a team which puts 11 players behind the ball.

'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.'  

The win got Portugal off the mark in Group B after a shock 2-0 defeat away at 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.

The Real Madrid forward scored his fourth goal with a neat finish in the 68th minute against Andorra

Portugal winger Ricardo Quaresma jumps over the challenge of defender Ildefons Lima during a feisty encounter

Portugal winger Gelson Martins evades the high boot of defender Ildefons Lima in the penalty area

Ronaldo was getting frustrated with some of the rough treatment being dished out by the Andorra players

He did get to leave with the match ball after scoring the 42nd hat-trick of his career