It has to be Cristiano Ronaldo. The prolific 38-year-old captain celebrated his 200th match in a Portugal shirt by scoring the goal, the 123rd, that gave Roberto Martínez’s team a victory (0-1) against Iceland in Reykjavik, joining him as the undisputed leader of Group J qualifying for Euro 2024.
Twelve points from a possible twelve, with two ahead of the Slovakian team that beat Liechtenstein 0-1, 14 goals for and none against in four games played shows Portugal’s extraordinary career since Roberto Martínez took charge after the World Cup 2022.
The technician from Lleida made four changes to the eleven that beat Bosnia and Herzegovina (3-0) on Saturday. One of them is grateful, for the inconvenience of Joao Pahlinha, whose position was occupied by Rúben Neves. In defense, veteran Pepe (40 years old) came in for Antonio Silva, Diogo Dalot for Guerreiro on the left and Rafael Leao for Joao Félix in attack.
Before the game, Cristiano Ronaldo was the subject of a small tribute where he was presented with his 200th international cap. Portugal were superior in the first period of the match and conceded five corner kicks in the first quarter of an hour.
Danger in the corners against a good Runnarsson
Among them, the central defenders showed their power in the aerial game and first Rúben Dias (8′) and then Pepe (16′) forced Runar Runarsson to shine to ward off his dangerous headbutts.
Iceland’s reaction
Iceland Iceland gradually balanced the game with its characteristics: physical strength, high balls and secondary play. Alfred Finnbogason brought down one of these centers but the central one Victor Palsson, unmarked, sent a high shot (24′).
Shortly after, Hordur Magnusson blocked after a free kick, though Diogo Costa blocked the spot well (28′). They are Iceland’s best moments. Johann Gudmundsson also tried it with a shot from the edge of the box that missed the target (42′).
CR7 fell into the offside trap
Portugal have clearly slowed down, although the break is fresh Cristiano Ronaldo, with an action ruled out for offside, had his best chance on a cross from Joao Cancelo headed in from point-blank range. Runarsson, Iceland’s best player, kicked the Portuguese captain’s shot.
In the second half Portugal came back on the charge. Cristiano Ronaldo played more and never stopped looking for the goal from the start with a header after a corner narrowly narrowed to him (49′). But the Icelanders cleverly countered CR7’s persistence by taking him offside several times.
Iceland was left with ten
Portugal’s dominance was immense, but it could not find a way to impose its technical superiority though Willum Thor Willumsson is sent off after seeing a second yellow because of a strong attack with the legs ahead of Gonçalo Inacio and Iceland is left behind (80′).
VAR awarded the goal to Cristiano
But in the 89th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo found the reward for his efforts thanks to VAR. Raphaël Guerreiro sends the ball into the box above, Inaçio, close to offside, puts it in a header for CR7, which only needs to be pushed into the net.
The 123rd goal of his international career sealed Cristiano’s 200th game and allowed Portugal to continue a very solid step towards Euro 2024.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
