Ronaldo scores late winner in record 200th game for Portugal in European qualifying

Berlin, June 21 (AP/PTI):  Cristiano Ronaldo became the first men’s player to make 200 international appearances and celebrated the milestone by scoring the winning goal in the 89th minute as Portugal beat Iceland 1-0 on Wednesday (IST) in European Championship qualifying.

The 38-year-old Ronaldo was honored by Guinness World Records before kickoff for reaching 200 games for Portugal almost 20 years after he made his debut. And he was celebrating at the end, too, after being on hand to score the later winner from close range and keep Portugal on track for Euro 2024 qualification with its fourth win from four games in Group J.

Erling Haaland scored twice in Norway’s 3-1 win at home over Cyprus, as did Romelu Lukaku in Belgium’s 3-0 victory over Estonia.

But another star forward – Robert Lewandowski – was left disappointed as his Poland team squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 away to Moldova.

Euro 2024 host Germany lost 2-0 to Colombia in a friendly game.

Ronaldo padded his record for international goals as well, by netting his 123rd for Portugal — making it another memorable night for the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star.

“So happy. It’s that kind of moment that you never expect to do it, 200 caps. For me it’s an unbelievable achievement,” Ronaldo told UEFA’s website. “Of course, to score the winning goal, it’s even more special.”

Ronaldo’s teammates Rafael Leão and Bruno Fernandes had looked more likely top provide an opening in Reykjavik, until Iceland midfielder Willum Willumsson was sent off with 10 minutes of normal time remaining for a second yellow card.

Ronaldo had missed several chances and was booked for diving in the 83rd, before he finally got the winner when Goncalo Inacio headed the ball down for the forward to score from close range. Even then there was an anxious wait for a VAR check before Ronaldo could celebrate in his own distinctive style.

Also, Luxembourg upset Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 away thanks to goals from Danel Sinani and Yvandro Borges Sanches, while Slovakia beat Liechtenstein 1-0.

GROUP A

Despite Haaland’s goals for Norway, Scotland stayed top of Group A with a 2-0 win over Georgia in a game that was suspended for about 1 hour, 40 minutes because of heavy rain and a waterlogged field.

Callum McGregor gave hosts an early lead before play was suspended. Scott McTominay made it 2-0 early in the second half despite lots of water still on the field.

It was Scotland’s fourth win from four games and it lifted the team four points above Georgia.

Norway is third with four points from four games, while Spain is a point further back after playing just two. Spain won the Nations League on Sunday.

GROUP E

Lewandowski scored but couldn’t prevent Poland slumping to a loss in Moldova, its second in three games.

Albania earned a 3-1 away win over the Faeroe Islands to stay second in the group, one point behind the Czech Republic after three games played.

Poland dropped to second last in the group with three points.

GROUP F

Lukaku scored twice in the space of three minutes to lead Belgium to a 3-0 win in Estonia.

Lukaku broke the deadlock with a flick after an uneventful first half-hour and doubled Belgium’s lead with another clinical finish for his 75th goal in 108 internationals.

Johan Bakayoko marked his first start for Belgium by adding the third goal in the 90th minute.

Christoph Baumgartner scored twice for Austria to defeat Sweden 2-0 in the other group game.

Austria leads the group with 10 points from three games, three points ahead of Belgium.

GROUP G

Hungary defeated Lithuania 2-0 and Bulgaria drew with Serbia 1-1.

It left Hungary top of the group on seven points, ahead of Serbia on goal difference.