Ronaldo wrote another chapter in his extraordinary career when he converted a hat-trick of penalties to give Brazil a 3-1 win over Argentina in a World Cup qualifier last night.
The Real Madrid striker put the world champions ahead in the first half with a twice-taken penalty after being upended by Gabriel Heinze.
Ronaldo stroked home his second in the 68th minute when tripped by Javier Mascherano and completed his hat-trick deep into injury time after falling over goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero's clumsy dive for the ball.
Juan Pablo Sorin pulled one back in the 80th minute as Brazil went top of the South American qualifying group and Argentina slipped to second after losing their unbeaten record.
Brazil have 13 points from six games and Argentina 11. The top four teams qualify directly for Germany in 2006 and the fifth plays off against the winners of the Oceania group.