Paris: Cristiano Ronaldo became the top scorer of all time on international football men with two late goals as Portugal beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1, while the French holder drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2022 World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday.
The day after completing the return to Manchester United, Ronaldo had an early penalty saved by the Gavin Bazunu teen goalkeeper at Faro before Ireland led half time.
John Egan glanced at the headline putting the side of Stephen Kenny on the track for a famous victory, but Ronaldo broke the Irish heart with the 89th minute equalizer – a goal that took him past a record of 109 years old 36 years.
Ronaldo, the 36-year-old grabbed the three points for Portugal in the sixth minute during injury time, rose the highest to power in a header from Joao Mario’s cross.
💥 He’s finished! 🇵🇹 @Crristiano (110) 🇮🇷 Ali Daei (109) 🔥 Run Phenomenal 49 goals in 47 Portugal Appe …
https://t.co/LJN3K0GSYS- FIFA World Cup (@FifaworldCup) 1630528607000 “This note is mine and It’s unique.
I am very happy and it is another for my career, “Ronaldo told RTP Public Television.
Five times the Ballon d’Or Winner also equalized the signs of Europe Sergio Ramos of 180 caps.
“(Motivation comes from) My desire must continue to play football, also from this last contract that I signed (at Manchester United), where I am happy to return home,” Ronaldo said.
“Scoring goals, wearing a show and a winning title, that’s what I like most.” Portugal sat at the top of Group A with 10 points from four matches, although Serbia was only three points behind with the game at hand.
📸📸📸 Say ̷C̷H̷E̷E̷S̷E̷ 𝙎𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄𝙄 🐐 @ Cristiano https://t.co/trhmC1P9F4- Portugal) 1630531302000 Group winners qualify for next year’s final in Qatar, with runner-up towards play-off.
France, played for the first time since losing in Switzerland at the last 16 at Euro 2020, lagging behind Strasbourg when Edin Dzeko dred away from a low driving from 20 yards.
Antoine Griezmann equalized when Dzeko’s headline in the corner crashed into France in the front and bouncing right above the line, but the host saw Jules Kounde out because the tackle was clandestine in the second round.
France held a four-point tin at the top of Group D above Ukraine, who conceded the last goal in a 2-2 draw to Kazakhstan.
Finland adrift six points but has two games in hand.
🇵🇹 @Crristiano rewriting history🇲🇹 Malta Win Home #WCQ for the first time Bosnia and Herzegovina pulled to …
https://t.co/VSFPPNDDS5- The FIFA World Cup (@FifaworldCup) 1630531239000 “Difficult Qualification Stage, “French coach Didier Deschamps, whose team went to Kiev next to Ukraine.
“We must be satisfied with the draw given what happened.
We have one more point, there are still many more available and the match on Saturday will come very quickly.” Erling Haaland scored his first World Cup qualifying goal in Norwegian 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Oslo.
Scrappy Finish Haale gave Norway to lead in 20 minutes, but Davy Klaassen leveled up before the break when Louis van Gaal began his third assignment responsible for the Dutch national team.
One point separated four leading teams in Group G, with Turkey Top despite blowing tin two goals in lottery 2-2 at home to Montenegro.
Croatia, the 2018 World Cup runner-up, pulled 0-0 to Russia and remained on their opponents on goal difference because of the group leaders H.
Slovakia was a point behind after a 1-1 draw with Slovenia.
Daniel Wass and Joakim Maehle scored two quick goals when the Euro 2020 Danish semi-finalist got rid of Scotland 2-0 to make him four wins from four in Group F.
🇩🇰 Denmark 5 points above Group F 👏 # WCQ https: // t .CO / 0PcoAANMK55- European qualifications (@ Euro2020) 1630533326000isris is their closest challenger after Eran Zahavi bagged a hat-trick in Faroe’s victory in the Faroe Islands.
Austria level on points after their 2-0 victory in Moldova.