Porto 0 - 1 Man Utd: Ronaldo launches early rocket to reignite quintuple challenge

CRISTIANO Ronaldo's astounding early goal left Sir Alex Ferguson to go head-to-head with old rival Arsene Wenger for a place in the Champions League final.

The emergence of Chelsea and Liverpool may have taken the edge off battles between Manchester United and Arsenal over the past few years. But the renewal of hostilities promises to be almost as spectacular as the Ronaldo strike that created it.

The sixth-minute effort was his 20th goal of the season and only his second in the Champions League since completing that astonishing haul of 42 in last year's final in Moscow.

There was certainly no doubting it was worthy of winning any game, and earning United the accolade of becoming the first English team to beat Porto on their own ground.

As almost a side issue, it also keeps the Red Devils on track to win the quintuple in a season they have brought back to life at just the right time.

In calling for the spirit of Turin '99, Ferguson also knew if that momentous evening was to be repeated, he would have to go through the agony of being two goals down before a famous victory could be achieved.

Ronaldo, however, has his own history book to fill. A repeat of last season's 42-goal tally was never likely in a campaign delayed because of ankle surgery. But the 24-year-old has still made a significant contribution to United's attempt to land an unprecedented quintuple, even if, like so many of his team-mates, he has looked a little off the pace in recent weeks. There could have been no better stage to signal his renewed intent.

Apart from at his beloved Sporting CP, Ronaldo is roundly jeered when he returns to one of the major clubs in his homeland, Porto being no exception. They recognise his talent, though, even if no-one expected what followed when Ronaldo collected former Porto player Anderson's short pass closer to the halfway line than the opposition goal. Sensing a little trepidation in home ranks, Ronaldo let rip with a shot as brutally powerful as it was audacious in its intent. Porto goalkeeper Helton did not have a chance of keeping the ball out as it flashed past him to give United the start Ferguson could not have dreamed.

Had Nemanja Vidic been able to keep his close-range effort under the crossbar after John O'Shea had got the faintest of touches to a Ryan Giggs corner just before the interval, the Red Devils would surely have completed their task in half the time allotted, however the Serbian missed.

After his major blunder last week, Bruno Alves was determined to make amends and threatened Edwin van der Sar's goal on three separate occasions during that opening period.

But this was United at their belligerent best. Their intent showed in the reaction of a normally phlegmatic Dimitar Berbatov to losing possession and, after a public rebuke from his manager last weekend for not doing enough for the team, an apologetic wave of regret from Ronaldo after a misplaced pass.

Just as Vidic spurred the chance of a second immediately before the break, so Berbatov did the same just afterwards when he wriggled his way into the Porto penalty area.

Porto took it as their cue to mount another offensive.

But with Rio Ferdinand back alongside Vidic after his recent groin strain there was an authority about United's defending that had not been in evidence since before they were beaten by Liverpool five games ago. There was experience too, with Ryan Giggs and Van der Sar taking just long enough over their set pieces not to incur the wrath of Swiss referee Massimo Busacca while eating up vital seconds.

It was certainly Porto carrying any threat that did exist and Rolando was too close for comfort with a far post header.

Yet, while they did not exactly coast home, the visiting Old Trafford supporters were celebrating victory long before the final whistle confirmed it for the defending champions.

Porto: Helton, Sapunaru (Costa 80), Rolando, Bruno Alves, Cissokho, Lucho Gonzalez (Mariano Gonzalez 31), Fernando, Raul Meireles, Lopez, Hulk, Rodriguez (Farias 64). Subs not used: Nuno, Stepanov, Guarin, Madrid.

Manchester Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Giggs, Carrick, Anderson (Scholes 78), Rooney, Berbatov (Nani 78), Ronaldo. Subs not used: Foster, Neville, Evans, Tevez, Macheda.

Portuguese striker hails goal as best of his career

CRISTIANO Ronaldo says the wonder goal that took Manchester United into the Champions League semi-finals last night was the best of his career.

Ronaldo struck after just six minutes, drilling home an incredible effort from fully 35 yards to set up a last-four duel with old rivals Arsenal. The Portugal superstar's 20th goal of the season was worthy of winning any game, and Ronaldo admitted he had never scored a better one.

"It is the best I have scored," he said. "It was a fantastic strike and I can't wait to see it again on DVD. I am very happy with it."

The goal put Porto on the back foot almost immediately and although United were forced to survive a few scary moments as the home side desperately tried to find a way through at the end, Sir Alex Ferguson was never seriously concerned his side would lose their precious lead.

It means, for the first time, United must face English opposition in a two-legged European tie, with old rival Arsene Wenger lying in wait for a battle to decide who will go to Rome for the final on 27 May.

"It would be tough no matter who we played but the fact it is another English side gives a different type of spice to it," said Ferguson. "We are two good footballing sides, so it should be a terrific semi-final.

"Our game earlier in the season was fantastic. It was the way football should be played and we will look forward to it. The first leg is at home, so 1-0 would be perfect for us. But it is not going to be easy."

There was a purpose and focus about United from the first whistle. It resulted in a performance far removed from the below-par efforts of recent weeks, including last week's first leg, with Ferguson confirming the return of Rio Ferdinand after a recent groin strain was a key factor.

"Rio coming back was a major part of our success," said Ferguson. "He and Nemanja Vidic have a partnership that goes back three years. They have a great understanding of the game and there's a good balance between them. Rio coming back allowed us to cement a back four to what it really is. They performed really well."

The contributions of Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs, whose energy belied his 35 years, were also crucial, as was the secure goalkeeping of Edwin van der Sar. But, as Ferguson acknowledged, none of it would have mattered without the contribution of Ronaldo.

"I will have to trawl a long way back through my memory bank to come up with anything as good as that," said Ferguson. "It was a sensational goal."