They say the third time is a charm.

It sure is for Cristiano Ronaldo.

For the third straight major tournament, the Real Madrid superstar has shown the world not to discount him when his back is up against the wall.

History of Clutch Moments

In 2012, he failed to score or have a major contribution for his country as Portugal won one and lost one in the Euro tournament. But in that final decisive match with the Netherlands, Ronaldo came through with two goals and then led his team all the way to the semifinals.

In 2014, Portugal lost 4-0 in the opener against Germany in the World Cup. Ronaldo hit the wall with a free kick and was peripheral. Things didn't go much better against the United States, though an assist late in the game saved Portugal. And in the final game against Ghana Ronaldo gave it his all, getting six shots on target and eventually scoring the winner.

The Euro 2016 Failures Through two games

This summer's performance in the Euro was one filled with frustration as Ronaldo flubbed his proverbial scoring lines at every opportunity for Portugal. It all came crashing to a halt when he missed a 79th minute penalty with a chance to play the hero against Austria.

Talk of his decline was constant. Ronaldo was seen as a major fraud while his rival Lionel Messi made his name in the Copa America.

But Ronaldo would have none of it against Hungary, putting on yet another show in the final group game when his team absolutely needed him.

He looked rather selfish early on, continuing to fail at free kicks while his team tried to serve the ball up to him.

The turning point

But then Ronaldo did something.

As the ball rolled out for a corner in the first half, he ran over, and instead of running into the box waiting for a cross that he could score from, he made a quick pass, got the ball back and then crossed far side to get his team a scoring chance. The ball went in the net, but was ruled off side.

But minute later, Ronaldo, his team trailing 1-0 and facing elimination, took the ball deep in the midfield. Instead of trying to dribble the entire defense he made a quick throughball, the likes of which are rare from him, right to Nani for the tying goal.

And then it all changed for him.

Ronaldo would eventually add a second and then a third goal, both with Portugal trialing, to lift the side to the next round of the Euro 2016 where it will play against Croatia.

Had Portugal conceded late, it would not have been on Ronaldo. He came to play his part. In his team's biggest moment, he reigned supreme, putting himself back into the conversation for one of the best players in the entire tournament. Unlike other games where he failed to deliver, he delivered big time. Again.

That is the mark of greatness.