2023-06-20 22:50:13
Veteran champion Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal in his 200th international match for Portugal. In the 1-0 win in Iceland, the 38-year-old scored his 123rd international goal in the finish (89th) on Tuesday and ensured that Portugal is enthroned at the top of Group J with 12 points. In Austria Pool F, Belgium stayed three points behind the red-white-red leaders with a lackluster 3-0 (2-0) in Estonia.
Belgium didn’t play at all in Tallinn against the courageous Estonians for a good half hour before a brace from Romelu Lukaku broke the knot within just 2:45 minutes. The 30-year-old first scored from the right after a cross, and finally after a cross from Arthur Theates from the left. It was the goals 74 and 75 in Lukakus’ 108th international match, in the third game of the European Championship qualifier already the fifth. In the finish, Johan Bakayoko scored the final score (90th).
For a long time Portugal did not find a proven recipe against passionately defending Icelanders, only after the exclusion of Willum Thor Willumsson (81st) with yellow-red and a lucky punch from short distance was the fourth win in four games for the 2016 European champions certain. Ronaldo became the first footballer to break the 200-game mark. Portugal have kept a clean sheet in the current qualifiers and are two points ahead of closest pursuers Slovakia (1-0 in Liechtenstein).
Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other hand, have to worry about being in the same group, surprisingly lost 2-0 at home to Luxembourg and, each 7 points behind the two top teams, only have greatly reduced chances of qualifying. Luxembourg can continue speculating with the sensation with 3 points behind Portugal and Slovakia.
Scotland ‘detained’ en route to a fourth win in game four against Georgia. After Callum McGregor (6th) quickly took the lead, the game was interrupted for more than an hour due to heavy rain to push the water off the completely soaked lawn. Manchester United’s Scott McTominay (47′) made it 2-0 after the restart, which was the final score.
Norway can meanwhile at least hope, thanks to the first win in the fourth game of this European Championship qualifier. Ola Solbakken (12th) put Norway on the road to victory early in the 3-1 win over Cyprus in Oslo, goalgetter Erling Haaland (56th / penalty, 60th) made the success perfect with goals 23 and 24 in his 25th country match. In Group A, Norway are third behind Scotland and Georgia respectively, while fourth-placed Spain are a point behind but have played two games fewer.
Moldova also surprised in Group E, beating Poland 3-2 in Chisinau after trailing 2-0. Arkadiusz Milik (11′) and Robert Lewandowski (34′) seemed to set things straight, but Ion Nicolaescu (48′, 79′) and Vladislav Baboglo (85′) turned the game upside down. Poland is still waiting for their first win with three points, but is only in fourth place. Albania came within a point of leaders Czech Republic with a 3-1 (1-1) win in the Faroe Islands.
1687304213
#Ronaldo #shoots #Portugal #victory #200s