Euro 2016: Goals prove Ronaldo is back, says coach Santos

Lyon (France): Portugal's coach Fernando Santos says Cristiano Ronaldo's two-goal display against Hungary proves he has shaken off a poor start to return to his best at Euro 2016.

Fernando Santos

Ronaldo scored a pair of brilliant goals in Lyon on Wednesday to go down in European Championship history as the first player to score at four finals. Portugal came from behind three times for a 3-3 draw, which allowed them to scrape into the last 16 to face Croatia in Lens on Saturday.

"This is what Cristiano is all about, because he's a winner and a scorer, he feeds on goals," said Santos. "This will have increased his confidence levels. He's a confident player anyway, but this will have boosted him for the next game against Croatia."

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a Portugal goal during their Euro 2016 match against Hungary in Lyon on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

The 31-year-old opened his account in style with a deft backheel on 50 minutes, then netted with a powerful header 12 minutes later as he twice equalised at the Stade de Lyon. Meanwhile, Ronaldo hailed Portugal's draw as 'insane'.

"It was an insane match," said Ronaldo. "We had to chase down the match, it was very hot, but the main goal was to qualify. Of course, we wanted to win and qualify in first place, but the main thing is we're through."