Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 59th career hat-trick to inspire Manchester United to a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League match played at Old Trafford on Saturday.
With the treble against Spurs, Ronaldo has lifted himself on top of FIFA's all-time scorers' list.
Ronaldo arrowed in a superb goal from distance to give the hosts a 12th-minute lead. Harry Kane's penalty drew Spurs level on 35 minutes after Alex Telles had handled Dejan Kulusevski's cross.
Ronaldo restored Man Utd's lead three minutes later, slotting in Jadon Sancho's pass following a sweeping move.
The 37-year-old’s commitment was questioned when he reportedly jetted to Portugal last weekend instead of watching his team after being eliminated from a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City with a hip injury.
Even United interim boss Ralf Rangnick admitted that he did not know if Ronaldo was happy at the club.
But Ronaldo proved his commitment to the United States with an incredible display to send Tottenham to Old Trafford.
With recently retired NFL legend Tom Brady watching from the stands, Ronaldo made his first United treble since 2008.
His brilliant 25-yard drive put United in front in the 12th minute before Harry Kane equalized with a 35th minute penalty awarded for Alex Telles' handball.
However, Ronaldo returned home from a Telles corner in the 81st minute to claim the 807th goal of his career, making him the highest-scoring man in history, according to FIFA statistics, as he surpassed Josef Bican.
Heroic Ronaldo received a standing ovation from Brady and lifted United to fourth place, while Tottenham are five points behind them in seventh.
Ronaldo thrust United ahead with a well-taken shot from outside the box which gave Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal, no chance.
Spurs were awarded a penalty shortly after, when Alex Telles was adjudged to have handled in the box and Harry Kane stepped to level matters for Antonio Conte’s men.
Ronaldo restored United’s lead in the 38th minute when he latched onto a beautiful pass from Jadon Sancho and Old Trafford came alive once again.
2-1 it was at the half time interval.
Spurs restored parity in the 72nd minute when Harry Maguire toed a cross from the left into his own net as United lost the lead again.
Ronaldo put the final nail on the coffin of the North London side when he completed his hat-trick with a brilliant header, two minutes before the 90th minute mark.
