Ronaldo breaks international goals record in Portugal win
Cristiano Ronaldo has officially eclipsed the international scoring record after his brace for Portugal gave them a 2-1 win at home to the Republic of Ireland in their 2022 FIFA World Cup Group A matchday four clash.
Ronaldo was level with Iran’s Ali Daei on 109 goals before the match, and was awarded with the Euro 2020 highest goal scorer award after he scored five goals for Portugal before they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Belgium. The Manchester United great needed only one goal to become the all-time top scorer in international football.
The first big moment of the match came only 10 minutes in after Ronaldo’s teammate at Manchester United Bruno Fernandes was brought down in the box by Newcastle United midfielder Jeff Hendrick and a debatable penalty was awarded. Ronaldo stepped up to take the resulting penalty kick for Portugal, but his effort was well saved by 19-year-old Portsmouth goalkeeper on loan from Manchester City Gavin Bazunu to keep him from opening his account. Before Ronaldo struck the penalty, he clashed with Irish defender Dara O’Shea and appeared to strike him with his hand as the West Bromwich Albion defender rolled the ball away from the spot, but it was deemed as nothing important.
Republic of Ireland took the lead totally against the run of play when Sheffield United defender John Egan headed home on the stroke of half-time to give them an unlikely 1-0 lead at the break.
Republic of Ireland defended resolutely as they aimed to secure an important win while Portugal threw bodies forward. Manchester City winger Bernard Silva was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance in the second half as the Portuguese launched attack after a
With the game in its final seconds, Ronaldo rose to the occasion once more with impeccable timing. Valencia winger Goncalo Guedes wriggled and danced his way past him marker before floating a cross into the Republic of Ireland box where Ronaldo leapt highest to power home a header in the 89th minute to equalise for Portugal.
The captain wasn’t done, as five minutes later, the exact same script played out once again. This time, it was Joao Mario that dinked in a cross for Ronaldo to head home in the final minute of time added on and give Portugal a 2-1 win over Republic of Ireland.
Ronaldo’s brace has taken him to 111 international goals for Portugal since his international debut in 2003. It took the Portugal great only 180 matches to score 111 goals in the red of the Selecao. He is now officially the highest goal scorer in international football ever.
