Ronaldo hits 200 caps, scores 123rd goal, and sends Portugal to top of Euro 2024 qualifying

June 21 – Cristiano Ronaldo became the first men’s player to make 200 international appearances and celebrated the milestone by scoring the winner in the 89th minute as Portugal beat Iceland 1-0 on Tuesday to make it four wins from four in European Championship qualifying.

The 38-year-old was honoured by Guinness World Records before kick-off almost 20 years after he made his debut.

It was Ronaldo’s 123rd goal for his country extending his record as the all-time leading international goal scorer.

“It’s that kind of moment that you never expect to do it, 200 caps. For me it’s an unbelievable achievement,” Ronaldo told UEFA’s website. “Of course, to score the winning goal, it’s even more special.”

The result left Portugal top with 12 points, two ahead of second-placed Slovakia in Group J, who won 1-0 away to Liechtenstein.

Austria midfielder Christoph Baumgartner scored two late goals to give his side a 2-0 home win over a toothless Sweden in Group F.

The win put the Austrians top of the group on 10 points after four games, three ahead of Belgium who won 3-0 victory against Estonia having played a game fewer, with Sweden third.

Scotland moved a step closer to booking their spot at Euro 2024 as they made it 12 points out of 12  with a 2-0 win over Georgia in a match suspended for an hour and 40 minutes due to torrential rain. What was intended to be a 20-minute pause turned into a lengthy delay before the match restarted.

In Group E, Poland lost for the second time in three games but Albania earned a 3-1 away win over the Faeroe Islands to stay second in the group, one point behind the Czech Republic after three games played.

In Group G Hungary are now top of the group on seven points, ahead of Serbia on goal difference.

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