Spain, Portugal assured of quarterfinal spots in UEFA Nations League
Spain ensured it has the chance to defend its UEFA Nations League title after booking a place in the quarterfinals thanks to a 2-1 win away to Denmark in Group 4 on Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday made history and became the second-ever footballer to score 100 international goals when he netted a brace Portugal’s 2-0 victory over Sweden in a League A Group 3 match of the ongoing UEFA Nations League.
Ronaldo, who had missed the defending champions’ first match against Croatia, has also become the first among the active footballers to reach the triple-figure mark. He currently stands at 101 international goals.
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The 35-year-old scored his team’s first of the night and his 100th with a trademark free-kick which curled it’s way into the back of the net in stoppage time of the first half. He scored another one through a spot kick in the 73rd minute.
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“I managed to beat this milestone of 100 goals and now for the record (109),” said Ronaldo, who is only outscored by Iran’s Ali Daei with 109 international goals. “It’s step-by-step. I am not obsessed because I believe the records come in a natural way.”
It’s the second straight victory for Portugal as they had defeated Croatia 4-1 at home last Saturday. They will visit France in October for their third match in Group 3.
In Paris, France came from behind to repeat their triumph in the final of the 2018 World Cup, beating Croatia 4-2 despite the absence of striker Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe, scoring the only goal in France’s victory over Sweden last Saturday, tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday and was separated from Didier Deschamps’ squad right after receiving the result.
Dejan Lovren scored first for the visitors in the 18th minute, but Antoine Griezmann’s close-range effort and Dominik Livakovic’s own goal gave France the lead before the interval.
Josip Brekalo managed to score an equaliser in the 56th minute, but Dayot Upamecano’s header and Olivier Giroud’s penalty secured the win for the hosts.
Belgium swept Iceland 5-1 at home to lead Group 2 with two wins, and Denmark drew 0-0 with England as both teams failed to create good chances.
With IANS inputs
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