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Ronaldo sets another Champions League record

By Vincent Ashitey
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Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has become the outright record holder for the most appearances by a player in the UEFA Champions League.

The forward has surpassed Iker Casillas' 177 UEFA Champions League appearances.

Ronaldo chalked up the UEFA Champions League record by making his 178th appearance in Manchester United's home win over Villarreal.

Now contesting his 19th season in the competition, and also its all-time leading goalscorer.

Most Champions League appearances

178 Cristiano Ronaldo (2003–)
177 Iker Casillas (1999–2019)
151 Xavi Hernández (1998–2015)
151 Lionel Messi (2004–)
142 Raúl González (1995–2011)
141 Ryan Giggs (1993–2014)

Ronaldo has missed only four of his clubs' UEFA Champions League games since the 2013/14 quarter-finals.

READ ALSO: UCL: Ronaldo wins it late for Manchester United against Villarreal

Ronaldo scored an injury-time winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat Villarreal 2-1 on Wednesday night Champions League Group A contest.

The repeat of last season's Europa League final, which the Spanish side won on penalties, looked to be heading for a draw after another disappointing United performance but summer signing Ronaldo stroked home from Jesse Lingard's lay-off to spark jubilant scenes at Old Trafford.

United started off brightly with Bruno Fernandes scooping over and Ronaldo also failing to hit the target with his header in the opening seven minutes.

Villarreal took charge thereafter but could not score in a first half in which they created chance after chance.

United goalkeeper David de Gea made vital reflex saves to deny Arnaut Danjuma and Paco Alcacer and also thwarting Yeremi Pino.

Striker Alcacer should have scored when Raphael Varane misjudged the bounce of the ball but dragged his shot wide, and Alberto Moreno and Pino both blazed over from promising positions.

But they did break the deadlock at the start of the second half as Danjuma snuck in behind and pulled the ball back for Alcacer to convert from close range.

United were finding it difficult to make inroads but equalised through Alex Telles' moment of genius, as he smashed a first-time volley from 20 yards out into the bottom corner.

Ronaldo's winner means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side pick up their first win while, in the group's other tie, Atalanta beat Young Boys 1-0 to go top of the table.