Ronaldo equals the record held by Platini

Cristiano Ronaldo equalled Michel Platini's longstanding goals record at the European Championship yesterday as Portugal booked their place in the Euro 2016 final.

Ronaldo's opening goal in the 2-0 win over Wales in Lyon not only ensured his team will be at Sunday's showpiece, it gave the Real Madrid star yet another individual record to cherish.

The Portugal captain has now scored nine goals at the European Championship - three of which have come at Euro 2016 - drawing him level with France football legend Platini.

Ronaldo's record-equalling goal was a typical strike for the forward, climbing above the Wales defence to thunder in a header and give Wayne Hennessey no chance, putting Portugal in front.

The night got even better for the 31-year-old shortly afterwards, as it was his mishit shot that Nani diverted into the back of the net just a couple of minutes later to double Portugal's advantage and build a lead that would prove to be unassailable against Chris Coleman's battling outfit.

Records keep tumbling for Ronaldo

Platini's European Championship goals record is far from the only record Ronaldo has reached during the course of Euro 2016.

He has become the all-time appearance-maker for his country at the finals, surpassing the great Luis Figo, and he has also made more appearances at the European Championship than any other player in history, at 20, perhaps benefiting from the expanded format of the competition.

Ronaldo also became the first player ever to score in four successive European Championships, after opening his account for the tournament at Euro 2004, before also scoring at Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and the current event.

Including in qualifying campaigns, Ronaldo has now scored 29 goals in the European Championship, helping him to become his country's leading goalscorer, as he has now scored 61 strikes for Portugal - with many more likely to come in the future.

The great Platini

Platini may now be a disgraced administrator, but he is also regarded as one of the greatest European footballers to have ever played the sport.

While Ronaldo has taken 20 games at European Championship finals to score his nine goals at the tournament, Platini's record came from just five matches, all of which were at Euro 84.

Platini captained France to the title, his side winning the competition on home soil, and he was by far the best player in the team as well.

In their opening match of the tournament against Denmark, Platini scored the winning goal to get his side up and running, before netting a perfect hat-trick against Belgium and another hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Yugoslavia to help France to finish top of the group, winning all three matches.

Platini then hit the winner in the last minute of extra time against Portugal in the semi-finals, before scoring the first goal in the final, from a direct free-kick, with Bruno Bellone finding the net in injury time to secure the title.

Rarely has a player had so much individual impact on a tournament, with Platini's nine goals at the Euro 84 finals three times as many as any other player at the competition managed to score.