Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 99th international goal as the Juventus star helped reigning champions Portugal book their berth at the Euro 2020 finals on Sunday with a 2-0 victory away to Luxembourg.
Bruno Fernandes struck the opening goal on 39 minutes before the 34-year-old tapped home as Portugal clinched second place in Group B behind winners Ukraine, who drew 2-2 in Serbia.
Portugal became the 17th nation to qualify for next year’s tournament in Rome on June 12. They will join world champions France, Spain, Italy and England.
But the reigning champions were troubled by by the 96th-ranked Luxembourg, who had held France to a 0-0 draw in 2018 World Cup qualifying.
Fernandes broke the deadlock before half-time with a controlled shot from 20 yards.
Ronaldo, who hit a hat-trick in Thursday’s 6-0 thrashing of Lithuania, moved to the brink of his international century four minutes from time.
Iranian striker Ali Daei holds the world record with 109 international goals scored between 1993 and 2006.
“In Portugal, CR7 does not go, he embraces (the coach) Fernando Santos and he remains on the bench. (…) It is clear that we do not waste time to demolish players, including champions,” wrote Corriere dello Sport.
Already the top Champions League scorer with 128 goals, ahead of his long-time rival Lionel Messi, Ronaldo this season broke the 700-goal mark in all competitions.
But with just two weeks to go before the Ballon d’Or trophy is awarded, the player from Madeira missed a chance to complete the century.
The striker reacted furiously after he was substituted in his team’s 2-1 Champions League win against Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia on November 6.
Four days later Ronaldo was again substituted in the Serie A match which the Turin giants won 1-0 against AC Milan.
