Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo scores a late winner to secure a 1-0 victory over Iceland in his record 200th game. The triumph gives Portugal 4 wins out of 4 games in the 2024 Euro Qualifiers. The 38-year-old converted from a Goncalo Inacio header from close range in the 89th minute.
Source: Árni Torfason/AP Photo
A struggled victory
Portugal had a staggering 72% ball possession but very little to show for it as they managed to get only 3 shots on target. Roberto Martinez’s side looked far from their best as a resolute Iceland kept the Portuguese at bay for almost 90 minutes. Indeed, it was Ronaldo’s teammates Rafael Leao and Bruno Fernandez who looked more likely to give them the lead.
Portugal managed to win only after Iceland midfielder Willum Willumsson was sent off with 10 minutes of regulation time left. Ronaldo had missed several chances and was even booked for diving in the 83rd before he found the back of the net when Inacio headed the ball down for the record international goal-scorer to score his 123rd goal for his country.
However, anxious moments ensued when the goal was ruled out for offside. It was only after the review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) that the decision was overturned in favour of Portugal. Rafael Leao was Portugal’s most consistent threat with his explosive runs often stretching the Iceland backline while his trackbacks helped the Portuguese defense.
A Man of Records
Ronaldo said he was “very proud” and basked in the “unbelievable achievement” of winning a record 200th cap for his country. Portugal’s veteran captain was honored by Guinness World Records ahead of his historic feat. The closest to the Al-Nassr forward’s tally is Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa with 196 caps, while Ronaldo’s Portugal teammates Joao Moutinho and Pepe have 146 and 133 caps respectively.
Source: thuvienpc.com
Ronaldo reached this landmark two decades after making his debut against Kazakhstan in 2003. In his illustrious career, he has smashed numerous goalscoring records for club and country. The highest goalscorer in the history of football, Ronaldo is the only footballer, besides the Argentine talisman, Lionel Messi, to have more than 800 goals.
He is both the top scorer with 140 goals and the highest assist provider with 42 assists in the Uefa Champions League while also having the highest appearances (183). He is also the all-time leading goalscorer in the Uefa EUROs with 14 goals, a tournament he won with Portugal in 2016.
Ronaldo is the top scorer in Fifa Club World Cups (7) and became the only player to have scored in 5 five Fifa World Cups when he scored in the World Cup in Qatar last year. By scoring against Iceland on Tuesday Ronaldo took his international goal-tally to 123 which is also a world record.
The goal machine, however, is showing no signs of slowing down even at an age where most footballers retire. He now has 5 goals in 4 matches for Portugal in the European qualifiers and 14 goals in 16 appearances for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez also heaped praises on his star man by citing his fierce competitiveness and experience and deems him “important” for the national team.
