Cristiano Ronaldo nets brace in record-breaking match as Portugal thrash Liechtenstein in Euro 2024 qualifiers
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Updated 23/03/2023 at 23:03 GMT
Cristiano Ronaldo had a night to remember at the Estadio Jose Alvalade as he became the most experienced men’s international footballer of all time. Ronaldo marked his 197th appearance for Portugal with two goals as his side beat Liechtenstein 4-0 in their opening Euro 2024 qualifying match. The Al Nassr player has already got the record for the most international goals.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on a record-breaking night for the captain as Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein 4-0 in their opening Euro 2024 qualifying match.
Ronaldo made his 197th appearance for Portugal to become the most capped player in men’s international football surpassing Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa.
He scored a penalty and a free kick to help his country make the perfect start to their qualifying campaign.
Portugal made a dominant start and were rewarded when Joao Cancelo slotted in a punched out ball from a corner after just eight minutes.
Ronaldo had a few chances in the first half to score but Liechtenstein just held on to only go in 1-0 down at half-time.
However, Portugal doubled their lead almost immediately after the break when Bernardo Silva got on the end of a cross from Candelo, then Liechtenstein conceded a penalty in the 51st minute.
Ronaldo stepped up and fired the ball into the bottom left corner to score the 150th spot kick of his career.
The Al Nassr player thought he had another six minutes later but was just offside, before he eventually did get his second when he fired in a free kick from the edge of the box.
Already the highest scoring player in men's international football, Ronaldo's tally not sits at 120 goals.
Lichtenstein soaked up more pressure in the final half an hour and managed to keep Portugal out, as Ronaldo was subbed off with 12 minutes to go.
Portugal are top of Group J on goal difference, after Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Iceland 3-0. Slovakia drew 0-0 with Luxembourg in the other game.
Northern Ireland got off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory at San Marino, as Dion Charles scored both goals.
Denmark got the better of Finland 3-1 and Slovenia edged out Kazakhstan in the other games in Group H.
Harry Kane became England’s all time top goalscorer in their dramatic 2-1 win over Italy, whist North Macedonia also beat Malta 2-1 in Group C.
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