Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal edged a 3-2 thriller towards Slovakia in Porto on Friday to e book their place at Euro 2024. Ronaldo scored a first-half penalty and a second half tap-in because the Portuguese made it seven wins from seven matches in Group J. They’ve 21 factors which ensures them a high two end. “Cristiano Ronaldo is having a good time, taking part in a number of minutes and scoring a number of objectives for his membership,” mentioned Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.
“He has a number of expertise with the nationwide workforce and he is a reference level for younger gamers.”
Slovakia are eight factors again in second, two forward of Luxembourg who they play on Monday.
Portugal received off to a flying begin when Ramos rose highest to satisfy Bruno Fernandes’ cross within the eighth minute, heading the ball down and previous Martin Dubravka within the Slovakia purpose.
It marked a seventh purpose in simply 9 matches for Ramos and a sixth help of the marketing campaign for Fernandes who virtually doubled the rating within the twenty sixth minute solely to be denied by an excellent one-handed save by Dubravka.
Three minutes later Denis Vavro was adjudged to have dealt with the ball, a call confirmed by VAR.
Ronaldo stepped as much as slot dwelling his 124th purpose for Portugal within the venue the place he scored his first worldwide purpose, towards Greece within the opening sport of Euro 2004.
Slovakia got here again into the sport within the 69th minute when David Hancko’s shot from exterior the realm deflected off Antonio Silva’s heel and into the underside nook – the primary purpose Portugal had conceded in qualifying.
Three minutes later, Ronaldo restored the two-goal benefit tapping in one other pretty cross from Fernandes for purpose quantity 125.
Ten minutes from time, nevertheless, the sport was again on as Stanislav Lobotka let fly from exterior the realm and buried the ball within the high nook.
Portugal ought to have sealed it late on however Diogo Jota was denied by the excellent Dubravka however the hosts had finished sufficient to stamp their ticket for the Euros.
“We received the match with an excellent first half,” mentioned Martinez.
“The vital factor was the end result. In seven video games we have proven an ideal perspective. I am very happy, nevertheless it’s solely a stage.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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