In a Euro 2024 qualifier against Luxembourg on Sunday, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice
more as Portugal thrashed Luxembourg 6-0 to earn their second victory in as many days.
The 38-year-old increased his record number of international goals to 122 in 198 appearances
on Thursday after scoring twice against Liechtenstein and twice more in Luxembourg.
Portugal finished first in Group J after an effortless start to their qualification campaign
thanks to goals from Joao Felix, Bernando Silva, Otavio, and Rafael Leao.
Ronaldo was reinstated to the starting lineup by new manager Roberto Martinez last week,
and he stuck by him for the game in Luxembourg. It took Ronaldo just nine minutes to
open the score by touching Nuno Mendes' soaring header into the back of the net.
In the fifteenth minute, Joao Felix doubled the advantage after leaping high to connect
with Silva's cross. A stunning attempt was then scored by Silva himself three minutes later
after João Palhinha had put him up. Just after the half-hour mark, Bruno Fernandes set
up Ronaldo for the fourth goal with a precise pass over the defence.
Ruben Neves, who has yet to score for Portugal, hit the crossbar with a free kick in the
83rd minute, and then immediately afterwards, the Luxembourg captain Laurent
Jans tripped Leao, resulting in a penalty.
The AC Milan attacker stood up to attempt the kick, but Anthony Moris of
Luxembourg stopped him.
However, with two minutes left, Leao sprinted the length of the pitch to intercept
Reuben Neves' pass, cut inside, and then score for a 6-0 score.
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