Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo, on Tuesday night, became the first European player to reach a Century of international goals after scoring twice in Portugal’s 2-0 victory over 10-man Sweden in the UEFA Nations League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who sat out Portugal’s previous match against Croatia, scored his first goal of the night from a resulting freekick after Veteran Sweden midfielder Gustav Svensson was sent off just before half-time for collecting a second yellow card. Ronaldo fired the ball into the top corner to bring up his landmark century.
After 72 minutes, the Juventus forward then curled in his second goal of the match to increase his tally to 101 from the edge of the penalty area.
Portugal now have two wins from their opening Nations League fixtures, and top the table ahead of France, who beat Croatia 4-2 in Paris.
Related: UEFA Nations League round-up: Italy defeats the Netherlands as Erling Haaland runs riot for Norway
In other centers…
France joined Portugal in celebrations after securing a huge win against Croatia on Tuesday Night.
The World Cup champions were pegged back early as defender Dejan Lovren had put 2018 World Cup runners-up, Croatia, ahead after 17 minutes following a corner, but Antoine Griezmann drew France level just before the break.
At half-time, Manchester United forward Anthony Martial saw his sliding effort deflect in off ‘keeper Dominik Livakovic for an own goal.
Croatia rallied back in the second half and leveled through Josip Brekalo in the 55th minute, which was the first international goal for the Wolfsburg forward.
Dayot Upamecano headed in a corner from close-range after 65 minutes to put the world champions back in front and with 13 minutes left, Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud made it 4-2 from the penalty spot following a handball by Lovren.
Belgium moved clear at the top of Group 2 after thrashing Iceland 5-1 in their Nations League clash in Brussels.
The Red Devils fell behind to Holmbert Aron Fridjonsson’s deflected goal just after 11 minutes into the match up.
However, Roberto Martinez’s men soon turned the tie around as Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel equalised and Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi made it 2-1 after 17 minutes.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne – who had earlier been named the Professional Footballers’ Association’s player of the year in England – set up a third for Dries Mertens five minutes into the second half.
Batshuayi completed his double on the night after making it 4-1 in favour of the Red Devils, with 18-year-old Anderlecht forward, Jeremy Doku, completing the scoring with 10 minutes left.
In the other game in the group, Denmark and England played out a goalless draw in Copenhagen.
UEFA Nations League Results
Tuesday 8th September
Armenia 2 – 0 Estonia
Georgia 1 – 1 North Macedonia
Belgium 5 – 1 Iceland
Cyprus 0 – 1 Azerbaijan
Denmark 0 – 0 England
France 4 – 2 Croatia
Luxembourg 0 – 1 Montenegro
San Marino 0 – 2 Liechtenstein
Sweden 0 – 2 Portugal
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