Cristiano Ronaldo entered today’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Lithuania needing five goals to reach a century for Portugal. It was always going to be close as the Juventus striker has historically feasted on the world’s 132nd-ranked side, including the four he hit when the two nations met in Vilnius back in September.
Perhaps aided by a new hairstyle which I believe pays homage to the reunion of My Chemical Romance, Ronaldo could’ve certainly scored five today. However, the 34-year-old had to settle for a hat-trick during his 83 minutes on the pitch — including one stunning curler from outside the area — as Portugal stormed to a 6-0 victory over the Group B whipping boys.
His first should’ve arrived in the fifth minute after Bernardo Silva teed him up for a header from a few yards out, but Ronaldo couldn’t get over the ball and flashed his effort high and wide.
Cristiano Ronaldo ya mandó el primer aviso
Portugal 0-0 Lituania #Euro2020 I #Portugal I #CR7
Partido en vivo: https://t.co/Y9Ndx70PpT pic.twitter.com/ep6Hq0Gt2G— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 14, 2019
Regardless, he made amends from the penalty spot only two minutes later.
Gooooool gooooool del mejor jugador del mundo
Solo bastaron 6 minutos para que Cristiano Ronaldo marcara el primer gol del partido, huele a hat-trickPortugal 1-0 Lituania #Euro2020 I #Portugal I #CR7
Partido en vivo: https://t.co/Y9Ndx70PpT pic.twitter.com/yYVA2ZI6Tp— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 14, 2019
In the 22nd minute, Lithuania failed to mark Ronaldo inside its own third — an extremely bold strategy — but take absolutely nothing from the man’s curled finish. It’s sumptuous as all hell.
Cristiano Ronaldo makes it 2-0 with a brilliant curler! pic.twitter.com/B2wLG6ZvWD
— ESPN (@espn) November 14, 2019
In the 65th minute, Ronaldo got his third — and Portugal’s sixth — after converting from Silva’s pullback.
Hat-Trick, Hat-Trick
Lo cantamos desde el principio, CR7 marcó su tercero del partidoPortugal 6-0 Lituania #Euro2020 I #Portugal I #CR7
Partido en vivo: https://t.co/Y9Ndx70PpT pic.twitter.com/BfRfqthhL1— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 14, 2019
A fourth beckoned when he hit one wide with the goal at his mercy, but the damage had been done — and Ronaldo still had time for the fans at Estádio Algarve.
Cristiano Ronaldo is e great person stops the game to makes selfie with a fans #CristianoRonaldo pic.twitter.com/3BS7FPbD8O
— DONSPORTS (@DONSPORTS2) November 14, 2019
Ronaldo’s international total now stands at 98. That’s second all-time behind Iran’s Ali Daei, who hit 109.
The victory keeps Portugal second in Group B and on course for automatic qualification to Euro 2020. That can be achieved with a victory over Luxembourg on Sunday.
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