Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo scores a late winner to safe a 1-0 victory over Iceland in his report 200th sport. The triumph offers Portugal 4 wins out of 4 video games within the 2024 Euro Qualifiers. The 38-year-old transformed from a Goncalo Inacio header from shut vary within the 89th minute.
Supply: Árni Torfason/AP Picture
A struggled victory
Portugal had a staggering 72% ball possession however little or no to indicate for it as they managed to get solely 3 photographs heading in the right direction. Roberto Martinez’s facet regarded removed from their greatest as a resolute Iceland stored the Portuguese at bay for nearly 90 minutes. Certainly, it was Ronaldo’s teammates Rafael Leao and Bruno Fernandez who regarded extra seemingly to offer them the lead.
Portugal managed to win solely after Iceland midfielder Willum Willumsson was despatched off with 10 minutes of regulation time left. Ronaldo had missed a number of possibilities and was even booked for diving within the 83rd earlier than he discovered the again of the online when Inacio headed the ball down for the report worldwide goal-scorer to attain his 123rd aim for his nation.
Nonetheless, anxious moments ensued when the aim was dominated out for offside. It was solely after the assessment by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) that the choice was overturned in favour of Portugal. Rafael Leao was Portugal’s most constant menace together with his explosive runs typically stretching the Iceland backline whereas his trackbacks helped the Portuguese protection.
A Man of Data
Ronaldo stated he was “very proud” and basked within the “unbelievable achievement” of successful a report 200th cap for his nation. Portugal’s veteran captain was honored by Guinness World Data forward of his historic feat. The closest to the Al-Nassr ahead’s tally is Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa with 196 caps, whereas Ronaldo’s Portugal teammates Joao Moutinho and Pepe have 146 and 133 caps respectively.
Supply: thuvienpc.com
Ronaldo reached this landmark 20 years after making his debut towards Kazakhstan in 2003. In his illustrious profession, he has smashed quite a few goalscoring information for membership and nation. The very best goalscorer within the historical past of soccer, Ronaldo is the one footballer, apart from the Argentine talisman, Lionel Messi, to have greater than 800 objectives.
He’s each the highest scorer with 140 objectives and the best help supplier with 42 assists within the Uefa Champions League whereas additionally having the best appearances (183). He’s additionally the all-time main goalscorer within the Uefa EUROs with 14 objectives, a match he received with Portugal in 2016.
Ronaldo is the highest scorer in Fifa Membership World Cups (7) and have become the one participant to have scored in 5 5 Fifa World Cups when he scored within the World Cup in Qatar final yr. By scoring towards Iceland on Tuesday Ronaldo took his worldwide goal-tally to 123 which can also be a world report.
The aim machine, nevertheless, is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down even at an age the place most footballers retire. He now has 5 objectives in 4 matches for Portugal within the European qualifiers and 14 objectives in 16 appearances for Al-Nassr within the Saudi Professional League. Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez additionally heaped praises on his star man by citing his fierce competitiveness and expertise and deems him “vital” for the nationwide workforce.