Portugal suffered a shock defeat int the Euro 2020 qualifiers at the hands of Ukraine despite Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his 700th career goal at the Olympic National Sports Complex in Kiev on Monday. With the win, the home team has now qualified for next year’s quadrennial event as the first team from group B.

Roman Yaremchuk scored the opener for the hosts in the 6th minute of the game off a deflection from Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio who was saving a header from Sehiy Kryvtsov from a corner. Andriy Yarmolenko extended the lead in 27th minute as he outpaced the touring defenders to complete a sublime counter-attack with a low first-time hit. Ukraine sustained their lead for the next part of the first half.

🇺🇦 #EURO2020 qualification confirmed! ✔️

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Congratulations, Ukraine! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/CakkmTtKIC

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@UEFAEURO) October 14, 2019

Portugal dominated the second half with lion’s share of possession but failed to see the back of the net against a spirited Ukrainian defence. However, the visiting team got their first breakthrough in the form of a penalty after Taras Stepaneko was sent off following his handball inside his own box. Ronaldo converted the penalty with ease to complete his 700 goals for club and county combined.

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🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 700 goals for club & country 🔥#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/ATnuokdZ6H

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@UEFAEURO) October 14, 2019

On the other hand, France extended their wait for a confirmed berth in next year’s after they were held 1-1 by Turkey in Paris, in a Group H encounter. While Oliver Giroud gave the home team their much-awaited lead in the 76th minute, Kaan Ayhan equalised five minutes later for the visitors. However, the Les Bleus still remain at the top of their group.

With the football going on in the pitch, tension ran high off the field as well. French President Emmanuel Macron had condemned Turkey’s military action in Syria against the Kurdish forces, forcing the Paris police officials to be on high alert.

They were suspecting a potential violent breakdown with 40,000 Turkish fans expected to be in the stands. However, the environment remained peaceful at the Stade de France throughout the evening and no case of unlawful activities was reported.