CRISTIANO RONALDO may be on the last lap of a glorious career, but the appreciation for him has not diminished.
At this Chisinau football outpost, he was once again the main attraction.
After scoring from the penalty spot in the 39th minute for Manchester United's second, the entire field seemed to shout his trademark 'Siu' celebration as he leaped into the sky with arms outstretched.
Watching Ronaldo score a goal is still something special for those who can't see it live, even if they see it through a camera phone, even if it's a penalty.
They don't come that often these days.
That was his first goal for United in 455 minutes since a 3-0 win over Brentford last May.
The penalty was awarded after a foul by Patrick Kpozo on Diogo Dalot, who had come forward on one of his wild runs from the side.
There was no mistaking who was taking it as soon as the referee pointed to the spot.
The shot was pierced through the center of the goal with poison: 'Viva Ronaldo'.
That doubled United's lead after Jadon Sancho shook off England's disappointment from earlier in the day with the opening goal.
He was once again ignored by Gareth Southgate, who named his squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Germany with Sancho's names once again absent.
He has not featured for England since a World Cup qualifier against Andorra in October last year.
However, while his form in his first season with United did not warrant a call-up, Erik ten Hag has got him back on track.
Can Southgate ignore him if he continues like this between now and when he names his final team for the World Cup in the second week of November?
This was his third goal in six appearances after also scoring in a 2–1 win against Liverpool and scoring the only goal of the game away to Leicester.
The winger is not only scoring, but linking up well with his teammates, as was shown in the build-up.
Moving into a central position, he exchanged passes with Bruno Fernandes before returning it to Christian Eriksen.
The Dane has been sensational for United since those first two league defeats, dictating the game.
Eriksen's splintered return was perfect for Sancho, but he still had a lot to do, and he did it.
Him controlling the ball with his right, he then passed it to the left and shot behind the goalie and into the far bottom corner.
Sancho celebrated by lifting personalized shin guards given to him by a young United fan recently after he stopped his car to sign an autograph.
He was about to get a chance to repeat the celebration when Eriksen found him again, but this time his shot was cleared off the line by Stjepan Radeljic.
After United's surprise defeat at home to Real Sociedad in their first Group E game, things were back to normal.
Ten Hag had made plenty of changes for that game, one of which saw Ronaldo return in the absence of Marcus Rashford.
With Sunday's league game against Leeds postponed, this was his chance to play against his strongest team, but Rash
At this Chisinau football outpost, he was once again the main attraction.
After scoring from the penalty spot in the 39th minute for Manchester United's second, the entire field seemed to shout his trademark 'Siu' celebration as he leaped into the sky with arms outstretched.
Watching Ronaldo score a goal is still something special for those who can't see it live, even if they see it through a camera phone, even if it's a penalty.
They don't come that often these days.
That was his first goal for United in 455 minutes since a 3-0 win over Brentford last May.
The penalty was awarded after a foul by Patrick Kpozo on Diogo Dalot, who had come forward on one of his wild runs from the side.
There was no mistaking who was taking it as soon as the referee pointed to the spot.
The shot was pierced through the center of the goal with poison: 'Viva Ronaldo'.
That doubled United's lead after Jadon Sancho shook off England's disappointment from earlier in the day with the opening goal.
He was once again ignored by Gareth Southgate, who named his squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Germany with Sancho's names once again absent.
He has not featured for England since a World Cup qualifier against Andorra in October last year.
However, while his form in his first season with United did not warrant a call-up, Erik ten Hag has got him back on track.
Can Southgate ignore him if he continues like this between now and when he names his final team for the World Cup in the second week of November?
This was his third goal in six appearances after also scoring in a 2–1 win against Liverpool and scoring the only goal of the game away to Leicester.
The winger is not only scoring, but linking up well with his teammates, as was shown in the build-up.
Moving into a central position, he exchanged passes with Bruno Fernandes before returning it to Christian Eriksen.
The Dane has been sensational for United since those first two league defeats, dictating the game.
Eriksen's splintered return was perfect for Sancho, but he still had a lot to do, and he did it.
Him controlling the ball with his right, he then passed it to the left and shot behind the goalie and into the far bottom corner.
Sancho celebrated by lifting personalized shin guards given to him by a young United fan recently after he stopped his car to sign an autograph.
He was about to get a chance to repeat the celebration when Eriksen found him again, but this time his shot was cleared off the line by Stjepan Radeljic.
After United's surprise defeat at home to Real Sociedad in their first Group E game, things were back to normal.
Ten Hag had made plenty of changes for that game, one of which saw Ronaldo return in the absence of Marcus Rashford.
With Sunday's league game against Leeds postponed, this was his chance to play against his strongest team, but Rash
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