Cristiano Ronaldo broke the world record for goals scored in men's international football as he hit his 110th and 111th goals for Portugal in their dramatic 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland.
Follow Us
Cristiano Ronaldo was most recently in the limelight following an unexpected late transfer to Manchester United, having been linked to rivals City. Fans were abuzz with excitement at the prospect of witnessing the legendary footballer wreak havoc at Old Trafford. Ronaldo served an early glimpse of his current capabilities, scoring twice against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal’s World Cup qualifier to shatter the world record for international goals. The 36-year-old who is already Europe’s top-scoring international footballer, surpassed the existing world-record mark set by former Iran forward Ali Daei.
Daei is the only other men’s player to claim a century of international goals, which he had shared since this summer’s UEFA EURO 2020. Ronaldo’s performance in the encounter held in Faro-Loulé takes his tally of goals at the international level to 111 strikes, serving a timely reminder to all those who termed his age as an area of concern.
A dramatic late double from Ronaldo earned Portugal three Group A points at the expense of the Republic of Ireland, with the encounter looking done and dusted at one point. Fernando Santos’s side were heading towards their first home World Cup qualifying defeat in 13 years when trailing 1-0, with two minutes of normal time remaining. John Egan rose highest to nod home a corner and put an impressive Ireland ahead just before half-time. For a long period that looked to be the game-settler, with Portugal largely uninspired against the dogged visitors’ defence.
Teenage goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had saved a penalty from the footballing superstar, resulting in many writing him off. However, the 36-year-old wasn’t to be denied as his two headers turned the game late on.
Goncalo Guedes found Ronaldo free in the box to level on 89 minutes and, if setting a new scoring landmark wasn’t enough, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner found the exact same corner with virtually the last touch of the game to break the hearts of Stephen Kenny’s men. Ronaldo further equalled Spain legend Sergio Ramos’ European record of 180 international caps during the course of the encounter.
The footballer seemed supremely pumped following the triumph, tearing his shirt off and racing off in celebration, which earned him a yellow card. This will see him miss next week’s qualifier against Azerbaijan.
“I’m so happy, not only because I beat the record, but for the special moment that we had. Two goals at the end of the game. I have to appreciate what the team did, we believed until the end. I’m so glad,” said the Portuguese superstar in an interaction with RTE.
Ronaldo is the leading goal-scorer in international football with 111 goals in 180 appearances. Daei is placed second having recorded 109 strikes in 149 games. Mokhtar Dahari of Malaysia stands third with 89 goals in 142 encounters. Hungary’s Ferenc Puskas and Zambian Godfrey Chitalu round off the top five with 84 and 79 goals respectively.
Ronaldo will be eager to replicate the same heroics for Manchester United.
