Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo scores clutch Champions League free kick vs. Sporting

Cristiano Ronaldo buried a late free kick against former club Sporting Lisbon to equalize in Real Madrid’s Champions League opener.

Cristiano Ronaldo buried a late free kick against former club Sporting Lisbon to equalize in Real Madrid’s Champions League opener and help the defending champions to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory.

Madrid trailed 1–0 after Bruno César’s 48th minute goal until Ronaldo leveled late with a spectacular curling effort. The strike marks his 94th career Champions League goal, extending his lead as the competition’s all-time leading scorer. Lionel Messi is next with 86 following his hat trick vs. Celtic on Tuesday.

Watch Ronaldo's 89th-minute strike, which he followed with a muted celebration out of respect for his former club, below.

.@Cristiano Ronaldo saves Real Madrid with a CLUTCH free kick. #UCL @HeinekenSoccer https://t.co/DEyacLo5Cs

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 14, 2016

Alvaro Morata went on to score on a header in stoppage time to give Madrid a 2–1 lead and the win.

WOW! @AlvaroMorata heads in the winner for Real Madrid with literally seconds to play. #UCL #UCLonFOX https://t.co/ptaXirm0XB

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 14, 2016

Real Madrid opened its Champions League campaign with three points, and will next face Borussia Dortmund in a clash of European titans on Sept. 27. 

Real Madrid returns to league play on Sunday at Espanyol.