Cristiano Ronaldo went past Eusebio in Portugal’s all-time scoring charts at Windsor Park and did it in a manner befitting the great master.

The Real Madrid forward cut a frustrated figure before a stunning 15-minute hat-trick took him two beyond Eusebio’s 41-goal tally and into second behind Pauleta.

Five more goals and top place will be his.

'Cheap Gareth Bale': Irish fans taunted Cristiano Ronaldo but he responded by scoring a hat-trick

The qualifier ended with Portugal down to 10 men and Northern Ireland nine. Bruno Alves volleyed Portugal ahead, but Michael O’Neill’s side hit back with a 36th-minute Gareth McAuley header and a goal from Jamie Ward after half-time.

Ronaldo’s was booked for dissent over Helder Postiga’s straight red card for a butt on McAuley. But Chris Brunt picked up a second yellow, and Ronaldo powered home Joao Moutinho’s 68th-minute corner, then added another header nine minutes later.

Kyle Lafferty saw red for a reckless challenge in the 80th minute, and three minutes later Ronaldo struck with a free-kick. O’Neill was critical of Lafferty and said MK Dons right back Lee Hodson had done a good job on Ronaldo. ‘It is the sign of a world-class player that he still managed to punish us so severely,’ he said. ‘Kyle’s challenge was ridiculous. He has let down his team-mates.’

Incredibly, Ronaldo was ‘barely 50 per cent’ fit. ‘He was feeling a knee injury and nearly didn’t play,’ said a Portugal insider.

Injuries to Aaron Hughes, Craig Cathcart and Ryan McGivern, as well as Daniel Lafferty's suspension, had left Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill with limited options at full-back but even so his selection was a huge gamble.

MK Dons right-back Lee Hodson was handed the toughest task of his career in marking Ronaldo, while Brunt - a laconic attacking midfielder by trade - was installed on the other side of the back four.

Ronaldo's early touches were roundly booed by the crowd, though it was hard not to admire a wonderful piece of trickery that saw him nutmeg fellow captain Steven Davis.

The Windsor Park faithful had come prepared, though, and quickly broke into a mischievous chorus of "You're just a cheap Gareth Bale".

The first attempt on goal took 16 minutes, Alves heading Joao Moutinho's free-kick just wide.

The same pairing combined to better effect five minutes later, Moutinho's corner cleared to the edge of the area and Alves sending a soft cushioned volley through the crowd of bodies and into the bottom corner.

The goal sucked some of the intensity out of the game, with Portugal slowing the pace noticeably.

Deft: Gareth McAuley (centre) scores for Northern Ireland

Jig: Ireland celebrate McAuley's goal

Fabio Coentrao was the most visibly affected, almost gifting Northern Ireland a glorious chance when Hodson robbed him on the byline and just failed to find Martin Paterson.

Coentrao, who started brightly, was then left flat on his backside as Niall McGinn breezed past him on the right. Northern Ireland's pressure paid dividends in the 36th minute, with McAuley heading his side level.

It came from the likeliest source - a Shane Ferguson corner - but the execution from the West Brom defender was superb. He rose highest in a packed box and angled his header deftly towards the far post.

The buoyant home fans then had more to cheer just before the break as Postiga aimed an apparent headbutt in the direction of McAuley and was shown a straight red card. Ronaldo was furious but received a caution of his own for dissent.

 
Flashpoint: Portugal's Helder Postiga saw red after clash with McAuley

McAuley was having the night of his life and almost made it even more remarkable shortly after the restart. Picking up the ball just inside the Portugal area he spotted Rui Patricio off his line and sent a deft lob a yard over the crossbar from at least 40 yards.

It was an audacious moment even Ronaldo might have smiled at.

Already shaky, the 10-man Portugal were veering close to meltdown from set-pieces and it was no surprise when Northern Ireland scored their second from another corner.

Ferguson was again the provider, whipping the ball into the danger area and finding Jonny Evans.

His header was on target but Ward, effectively man-marking the goalkeeper, managed to scramble home from point-blank range.

There were appeals for offside, but the goal stood.

In copntrol: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, takes on Steven Davis

Controversy: Jamie Ward puts Ireland ahead from close range

The lead was less than 10 minutes old when Brunt's dismissal made it an even playing field, a clumsy challenge on Joao Pereira earning his second yellow.

Roy Carroll made a fine save to deny Miguel from 25 yards but the equaliser arrived from Moutinho's 68th minute corner.

Ronaldo shook off the attentions of substitute Lafferty to power his header past Carroll and go level with Eusebio on 41.

The celebrations from the Portugal bench spoke volumes for their relief.

There was even more elation from the away contingent after 77 minutes, when Coentrao's hanging cross picked out Ronaldo at the far post.

He was, unforgiveably, unmarked and headed emphatically into the corner from close range.

Lafferty was next for an early bath, a senseless lunge at Pereira his sin, and the stage was set for Ronaldo. He rifled home an 83rd-minute free-kick to secure the match ball and leave Bale with a timely reminder of the standards expected from the best in the world.

Two hot: Ronaldo scores his second goal