In a remarkable feat, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first men’s player to reach 200 international appearances. Celebrating this milestone, the 38-year-old football legend delivered a sensational performance, securing a late victory for Portugal in their European Championship qualifying match against Iceland. The match ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of Portugal.

Prior to kick-off, Ronaldo was honored by Guinness World Records for his incredible achievement of reaching 200 games for Portugal, nearly two decades after making his debut. The celebrations didn’t stop there, as Ronaldo proved his enduring brilliance by scoring the winning goal in the 89th minute. Positioned close to the net, he seized the opportunity and clinched the victory, propelling Portugal forward in their quest for Euro 2024 qualification. This triumph marked Portugal’s fourth win in as many games in Group J.

While Ronaldo’s performance shone, other notable players also made their mark. Erling Haaland netted two goals in Norway’s 3-1 triumph over Cyprus, while Romelu Lukaku mirrored the feat with a brace in Belgium’s 3-0 victory against Estonia. However, not all star forwards were able to celebrate, as Robert Lewandowski and his Poland team let a two-goal lead slip, succumbing to a 3-2 defeat against Moldova. In a friendly match, Euro 2024 host Germany suffered a 2-0 loss to Colombia.

Group J, Ronaldo extended his record for international goals, scoring his 123rd goal for Portugal. It was an unforgettable night for the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star, who expressed his joy and gratitude for the remarkable achievement of 200 caps. In an interview with UEFA, Ronaldo shared his feelings, saying, “So happy. It’s that kind of moment that you never expect to do it, 200 caps. For me, it’s an unbelievable achievement. Of course, to score the winning goal, it’s even more special.”

Throughout the match in Reykjavik, Ronaldo’s teammates Rafael Leão and Bruno Fernandes showed promise in creating opportunities. However, the momentum shifted in Portugal’s favor when Iceland midfielder Willum Willumsson received his second yellow card, resulting in a sending off with 10 minutes remaining in normal time. Despite missing a few chances and receiving a yellow card himself for diving, Ronaldo seized the moment when Goncalo Inacio headed the ball down, allowing him to score from close range. Even then, there was a nerve-wracking wait for a VAR check before Ronaldo could celebrate his victory in his characteristic style.

In other matches, Luxembourg surprised Bosnia and Herzegovina with a 2-0 away win, thanks to goals from Danel Sinani and Yvandro Borges Sanches, while Slovakia secured a 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein.

Group A, despite Erling Haaland’s impressive performance, Scotland maintained their position at the top with a 2-0 victory over Georgia. The game faced a suspension of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes due to heavy rain and a waterlogged field. Callum McGregor gave the hosts an early lead, and Scott McTominay added a second goal early in the second half, despite the challenging field conditions. With this win, Scotland secured their fourth consecutive victory in the group, extending their lead over Georgia by four points. Norway currently stands third in the group, having garnered four points from four games, while Spain, who have only played two matches, follow closely behind.

In Group E, Robert Lewandowski’s goal couldn’t prevent Poland from suffering their second defeat in three games, losing 3-2 to Moldova. Albania secured a 3-1 away win over the Faroe Islands, maintaining their second position in the group, just one point behind the Czech Republic, who have played three games.

Group F, saw Romelu Lukaku shine as he scored two goals in three minutes, leading Belgium to a 3-0 victory against Estonia. Lukaku’s clinical finishes brought his tally to 75 goals in 108 international appearances. In the other group game, Christoph Baumgartner’s brace secured a 2-0 victory for Austria over Sweden. With 10 points from three games, Austria currently leads the group, with a three-point advantage over Belgium.

In Group G, Hungary defeated Lithuania 2-0, while Bulgaria and Serbia played to a 1-1 draw. These results positioned Hungary at the top of the group with seven points, ahead of Serbia on goal difference.

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