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Ronaldo nets winner on historic 200th Portugal cap, Haaland fires Norway
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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal on his 200 appearance for Portugal during their clash with Iceland at Laugardalsvollur in Reykjavik, Iceland, June 20, 2023. /CFP
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal on his 200 appearance for Portugal during their clash with Iceland at Laugardalsvollur in Reykjavik, Iceland, June 20, 2023. /CFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal on his 200 appearance for Portugal during their clash with Iceland at Laugardalsvollur in Reykjavik, Iceland, June 20, 2023. /CFP

Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 200th international appearance with the winner as Portugal beat Iceland 1-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying on Tuesday, while Erling Haaland netted twice for Norway.

Portugal appeared to be heading towards a drab goalless draw in Reykjavik until Willum Thor Willumsson was sent off late on.

Ronaldo struggled for much of the match but repaid coach Roberto Martinez's faith by slotting home from Goncalo Inacio's knock-down in the 89th minute.

"It was a nice script (for Ronaldo). There was incredible celebration, the first men's player ever in world football to get 200 international games," said Martinez.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star's record-extending 123rd international goal was initially ruled out for offside before being awarded by VAR.

"For me it's an unbelievable achievement, it's amazing," said the 38-year-old Ronaldo. "And of course to score the winning goal, it's even more special."

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) is honored with a certificate of the Guinness World Records for becoming the first men's player to win 200 international caps at Laugardalsvollur in Reykjavik, Iceland, June 20, 2023. /CFP
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) is honored with a certificate of the Guinness World Records for becoming the first men's player to win 200 international caps at Laugardalsvollur in Reykjavik, Iceland, June 20, 2023. /CFP

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) is honored with a certificate of the Guinness World Records for becoming the first men's player to win 200 international caps at Laugardalsvollur in Reykjavik, Iceland, June 20, 2023. /CFP

Portugal remain two points clear of Slovakia at the top of Group J after a fourth straight win.

Slovakia, who are Portugal's next opponents in September, won 1-0 away to Liechtenstein to stay unbeaten.

Haaland's brace helped Norway bounce back from their dramatic defeat by Scotland at the weekend with a 3-1 victory against Cyprus.

That kept their slim hopes of reaching a first major tournament since 2000 alive, although they only sit third in Group A and just one point ahead of Spain having played two games more than the three-time champions.

Luxembourg gave their unlikely bid to reach a maiden major tournament a boost with a brilliant 2-0 away victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina to move third, just three points behind Slovakia.

The top two from each group qualify automatically for next year's finals in Germany.

Norway forward Erling Braut Haaland shoots during their clash with Cyprus in Oslo, Norway, June 20, 2023. /CFP
Norway forward Erling Braut Haaland shoots during their clash with Cyprus in Oslo, Norway, June 20, 2023. /CFP

Norway forward Erling Braut Haaland shoots during their clash with Cyprus in Oslo, Norway, June 20, 2023. /CFP

Elsewhere, Belgium brushed aside the Thibaut Courtois captaincy row by seeing off Estonia thanks to a Romelu Lukaku double in Tallinn and Moldova came from two goals down to stun Poland 3-2.

Moldova, who had won only one of their last 43 Euro and World Cup qualifying matches, appeared to have been safely dispatched by first-half goals from Arkadiusz Milik and Robert Lewandowski.

But Ion Nicolaescu's double left Poland reeling and Vladyslav Baboglo, who plays his club football for Ukrainian team Oleksandriya, headed past Wojciech Szczesny to score a dramatic 85th-minute winner.

Moldova, 171st in the FIFA rankings, are now third in the group standings, a point behind second-placed Albania who saw off the Faroe Islands 3-1.

Source(s): AFP

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