Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a blow to the nose after a collision with the Czech goalkeeper Tomás Vaclik, as the latter attempted to stop the striker from netting one. 

Ronaldo quickly fell to the ground after the goalkeeper’s hand hit his nose, and medics rushed onto the field to attend to the 37-year-old who plays for Manchester United at the club level. 

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There was some concern about him being out of play, as blood spurted from his nose, but not only was Ronaldo back in the game, but he also took his bandage off after a while. 

“Cristiano Ronaldo removed the bandage from his nose”, an individual on Twitter commented, putting up a photo where the Portuguese striker can be seen with the bandaid on his nose and another where he’s taken it off.

The consequences of the injury continued, as Ronaldo was given a handball which was deemed unnatural. Commentators speculated he was using his hand to protect his nose, and an individual on Twitter echoed the opinion, saying “Honestly can’t blame Ronaldo for that handball. Man was just protecting his nose”.

Czech Republic got the penalty but Patrik Schick missed. Other United players in the Portugal squad – Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes fared better, both finding the back of the net in the first half. The former scored in the 33rd minute and the latter in the two minutes of the stoppage time in the first half. 

Dalot found the back of the net in the second half again, in the 52nd minute. The Portuguese will look to win the game in Prague to position themselves at the top of the group when they face Spain in the final fixture of the group stage. 

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Portugal have been the inaugural winners of the UEFA Nations League but they are also eyeing the Qatar World Cup this year.