Cristiano Ronaldo returned to his former self in a performance that was of the highest order as Real Madrid won 4-3 over Shakhtar Donetsk. Not only did the superstar score two goals, but he also created two tallies as well, putting in what is undeniably his finest performance of the season.

Some will point to the five-goal explosion against Espanyol earlier this year, but this was a performance in which the talisman was fully involved and looked very comfortable for his new club. This was a Ronaldo that we had not seen all season long to be honest. 

So what clicked so suddenly for Ronaldo? Here are some reasons why he was on top of his game.

Counter-attacking Soccer

Ronaldo is not a possession player. Never was and certainly no longer given his physical limitations and his loss of dribbling through tight spaces. Simply put, Ronaldo is not able to operate in tight spaces with the ball.

What he can do is run at breakneck speed and give space, he can help create some imposing attacking players. The best way to bring this out of him is through counter-attacking soccer.

Few will forget how Ronaldo was so effective in 2011-12 as part of Madrid's exciting counter-attacking squad that won the Spanish League title. The counter attack discombobulates the opposition, opening up space for superior athletes to run into and create scoring chances. Ronaldo's second goal was the result of a counter move from Gareth Bale and his first assist was the result of the very same kind of play. Notice how Ronaldo was able to use the open space to his advantage, actually dribbling past a man and dish off to Luka Modric for the tally.

Gareth Bale Connection

Part of Ronaldo's success in this match was largely attributed to Gareth Bale and him working well in tandem. Simply put, this needs to happen for the two to thrive. Ronaldo needs to be willing to let Bale run the left wing, as he did in this match, thus opening up space for the Portuguese down the middle. For the last few weeks, Ronaldo was often isolated up top, insisting on occupying the left flank or being left stranded on the left pitch because he refused to track back for the ball.

Bale did track back and his speed on the left was the weapon that enabled Ronaldo to get two goals. In a 4-4-2 set up, this could be huge for Ronaldo as he will also have Karim Benzema to work with. That said, in the 4-3-3 employed against the Ukrainian side, Ronaldo proved that he could be effective up top with the right supporting cast. The first major player has to be Gareth Bale and their effusive hug after Ronaldo's eventual game winner proved that these two are enjoying this.

Key Passes and Assists

Latching off the point mentioned earlier, Ronaldo with space means a more effective and creative player. And that translates into a less selfish one as well. For whatever reason, Ronaldo tends to try and fire at will from far range when all he sees are defenders in front of him, cramming the space inside the box. He simply cannot read the game with those tight spaces.

Yet when presented with more space to operate in, Ronaldo is able to use his athleticism to create space and thus find the seams. He did that on the Modric goal and to a less extent on the third goal.

Of course this selflessness might come down to Ronaldo realizing that he needs to set aside his ego a bit to help this team get back on course. For what it's worth, Ronaldo had four key passes in this game, more than in any other game this season.