Cristiano Ronaldo struck a devastating hat-trick to fire Portugal into the World Cup finals at the expense of Sweden and win his highly-anticipated duel with fellow superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ronaldo earned Portugal a narrow lead with a late strike in the play-off first leg and the Real Madrid ace was his side's hero again with goals in the 50th, 77th and 79th minutes to seal a 4-2 aggregate win.
The Portugal captain's last two goals came after Sweden had threatened to turn the tie on its head when, after trailing 2-0 overall, they battled back to 2-2 thanks to two goals in four minutes from talisman Ibrahimović.
Bow, mere mortals: Ronaldo hit a stunning hat-trick in Sweden
With 15 minutes to go it was anyone's game, but two more clinical finishes from Ronaldo settled the contest in Portugal's favour and means the Euro 2012 semi-finalists will be gracing Brazil next summer while Sweden skipper Ibrahimovic and his team-mates will be staying at home.
Ronaldo vs Sweden
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal at the Friends Arena in Solna near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) jumps over Sweden's defender Mikael Antonsson at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 19: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring their 3rd goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier Play-off Second Leg match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on November 19, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images,) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the second goal for Portugal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal at the Friends Arena in Solna near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the 2-3 at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/TT NEWS AGENCY/ PONTUS LUNDAHL/sweden out (Photo credit should read PONTUS LUNDAHL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 19: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrate with his team mates after winning the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier Play-off Second Leg match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on November 19, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images,) (credit:Getty Images)
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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 19: Cristiano Ronaldo (C) of Portugal celebrate with his team mates after winning the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier Play-off Second Leg match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on November 19, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images,) (credit:Getty Images)
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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 19: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring their 3rd goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier Play-off Second Leg match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on November 19, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images,) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates with Portugal's forward Nani the 2-3 win at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 19: Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Portugal celebrate with team mate Nani after winning the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier Play-off Second Leg match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on November 19, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images,) (credit:Getty Images)
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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 19: Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Portugal celebrate with team mate Nani after winning the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier Play-off Second Leg match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on November 19, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images,) (credit:Getty Images)
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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 19: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier Play-off Second Leg match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on November 19, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images,) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portuguese players jump over Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo after the 2-3 win at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 after the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. Sweden lost 2-3. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) in action at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring with teammates during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal at the Friends Arena in Solna near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after scoring at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's midfielder Raul Meireles (L) and Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal at the Friends Arena in Solna near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after scoring at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after scoring at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) tries to score past Sweden's midfielder Rasmus Elm at at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd L) celebrates scoring with teammates during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal at the Friends Arena in Solna near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (2ndR) tries to score behind Sweden's midfielder Rasmus Elm (6) as Sweden's goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson eyes the ball at at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates with Portugal's defender Bruno Alves (L) and Portugal's forward Nani after scoring at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates after the third goal for Portugal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal at the Friends Arena in Solna near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) scores 3-2 past Sweden's goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson (L) and Sweden's defender Mikael Lustig at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the second goal for Portugal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal at the Friends Arena in Solna near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo is surrounded by teammates after scoring 3-2 at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (up) scores 3-2 past Sweden's goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring the third goal for Portugal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal at the Friends Arena in Solna near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) celebrates with Portugal's forward Nani (L) and Portugal's forward Hugo Almeida after scoring at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's midfielder Raul Meireles (L) hugs Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo after his goal at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 19: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal scores their 2nd goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier Play-off Second Leg match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on November 19, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images,) (credit:Getty Images)
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) celebrates after scoring at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on November 19, 2013 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup playoff football match Sweden vs Portugal. AFP PHOTO/ JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Portugal bossed the majority of the first half at the Friends Arena in Stockholm and home keeper Andreas Isaksson did well to keep out Bruno Alves' downward header in the 15th minute before Ronaldo took centre-stage.
The £80million man had three attempts in five minutes just after the half-hour mark before setting up Hugo Almeida for a great chance that the Besiktas striker headed into the side-netting.