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Cristiano Ronaldo returned triumphantly to the Portuguese national team, scoring two goals to claim a 2-0 victory over Sweden in Stockholm in a Nations League match.
The superstar missed the previous Iberian game, but now crossed the 100-goal mark with his country’s team. Therefore, he became the second after Iranian Ali Daei (109) to achieve such a thing.
The Portuguese had the upper hand for most of the match, and were made easier by the fact that they played one half with one more man. They already have 6 points in their group after beating Croatia a few days ago, while the Swedes suffered a second defeat after France.
For the hosts there were 6 changes since the loss to France, most of them on defense. For the guests, the change was one, but very significant: Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Diogo Jota’s place in search of his goal №100 for the national team.
The Swedes missed a good chance in minute 2, when after a strong touch from Kraft the ball was caught with a header from Marcus Berg, but the forward shot a little to the side.
The hosts acted more aggressively in those minutes and Portugal’s defense was definitely under pressure, but it worked. Ronaldo and Joao Félix were stopped by important interventions by Kraft and Hellander as they were about to leave the firing points. In general, however, the control went to Sweden.
However, in the middle of the time, first Guerrero’s shot was deflected to the side and then Bruno Fernandes passed dangerously, but Pepe did not hit the far post. Bernardo Silva, who suffered some injuries and left, was replaced.
In the 26th minute, Ronaldo was very close to his anniversary goal when he got a chance to shoot from close range, but Olsen made a great save with his foot. Soon after, Cristiano crossed dangerously, but Janson overtook Bruno Fernandes. However, they were good minutes for the guests.
After a few quieter minutes, Olson made an aerial shot, but Anthony Lopez saved comfortably. In the 40th minute Bruno Fernandes produced an excellent Ronaldo, who advanced and shot hard diagonally, but Olsen scored over the crossbar and again disappointed the superstar.
A second yellow card followed and Swenson was sent off, landing hard at Joao Moutinho’s feet and turning out to be decisive. Cristiano executed the direct free kick very well and realized with a shot from about 25 meters to score his №100 for Portugal.
Good scoring situations were lacking in the first minutes after the break, although the Portuguese were more active and Joao Félix had a chance to hit, but sent the ball over the door. In the 61st minute Bruno Fernandes sent the ball to the crossbar from close range, after a pass from Cancello.
However, the guests dominated and logically in the 72nd minute ensured their victory. Joao Félix combined with Ronaldo, who finished off with a great shot to score №101 with the national team.
In the end, Joao Félix came close to scoring another goal, but first failed to complete a dangerous counterattack, then fired to the side. In any case, the Iberians enjoyed a comfortable victory.
Sweden – Portugal 0: 2
0: 1 Ronaldo 45
0: 1 Ronaldo 72
Sweden: Olsen, Kraft, Helander, Janson, Augustinson, Kulushevsky (90 Ekdal), Olson, Swenson, Forsberg (81 Swanberg), Isaac (71 Quayson), Berg
Portugal: López, Cancello, Pepe, Rubén Díaz, Guerrero, Moutinho (75 Neves), Pereira, Fernandes, Bernardo Silva (24 Gedesh), Joao Félix, Ronaldo (82 Jota)
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