Gareth Bale has provided a masterclass in carrying a football team to greatness, but one man has managed to match him.
The Welshman has dragged his country to the verge of qualification for their first major tournament since 1958, despite Wales scoring just nine times in eight qualifying games.
But he’s still been unable to outdo club team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to winning points for his international side.
Bale’s goals have accounted for seven extra points for Chris Coleman’s side – both goals in the 2-1 victory in Andorra, as well as winners at home to Belgium and away in Cyprus.
With just two points instead of nine in those games, the upcoming trip to Bosnia would be much more important.
Like Bale, Ronaldo has turned a defeat and two draws into maximum points for Portugal, only with a bit of added drama.
Bale scored a first-half winner against Belgium? Well, Ronaldo struck against Armenia inside the last 20 minutes.
Bale’s late effort saw off Cyprus? Well it wasn’t as late as Ronaldo’s 95th-minute header in Denmark.
And as for Bale’s double in Andorra? Ronaldo had to go one better there too, firing home a hat-trick in a 3-2 win in the reverse fixture against the Armenians.
Even with all of that, the Portuguese are just one point clear at the top of their group. Imagine where they’d be without their talisman.
