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Ronaldo determined to beat Ali Daei’s record as a men’s international; France overtakes Croatia and Belgium beat Iceland
Last Updated: 09/09/20 9:18 am
3:31
Highlights from the UEFA Nations League Group A3 match between Sweden and Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first European player to reach 100 international goals after scoring twice in Portugal’s 2-0 win over Sweden with 10 men.
Veteran Swedish midfielder Gustav Svensson was sent off shortly before half-time for receiving a second yellow card, and on the resulting free kick, Ronaldo fired the ball into the upper corner to mark his historic century.
After 72 minutes, the Juventus forward, who missed Portugal’s Nations League opener against Croatia on Saturday with a toe injury, scored a second goal from the edge of the area.
1:02 Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th international goal for Portugal with a superb free kick against Sweden in the Nations League
Ronaldo has set his sights on Iranian Ali Daei’s record for a men’s international of 109 goals.
“I managed to break this milestone of 100 goals and now (I will go) for the record. It is step by step. I am not obsessed because I think records come naturally,” Ronaldo said.
“When I had this toe problem, I always knew that I could recover for this second game.”
When asked about his future in the game, Ronaldo was quoted by Reuters as saying: “The future, God only knows. I am happy to play with these young players and I am really enjoying this moment both individually and collectively.”
Portugal have two victories in their opening Nations League matches and top the table ahead of France, who hit Croatia 4-2 in Paris.
Defender Dejan Lovren had overtaken the 2018 World Cup runner-up in the 17th minute after a corner kick, but Antoine Griezmann tied France just before the break.
In injury time, Manchester United striker Anthony Martial watched his sliding effort drift towards goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic for an own goal.
4:29 Highlights from the UEFA Nations League Group A3 match between France and Croatia
Croatia drew through Josip Brekalo in the 55th minute, which was the Wolfsburg forward’s first international goal.
The world champions, however, returned to the front when defender Dayot Upamecano headed in a corner from very close in the 65th minute.
With 13 minutes to go, Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud made it 4-2 from the penalty spot after a hand from Lovren, as France also maintained their 100% Nations League start.
Batshuayi doubles as Belgium thrashes Iceland
4:37 Highlights from the UEFA Nations League A2 match between Belgium and Iceland
Belgium beat Iceland 5-1 in their Nations League clash in Brussels to place at the top of Group 2.
The Red Devils, who had beaten Denmark in their first A League game, fell behind to Holmbert Aron Fridjonsson’s deflected goal in the 11th minute.
However, Roberto Martínez’s men soon turned the tie around when Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel tied and Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi made it 2-1 after 17 minutes.
0:46 Michy Batshauyi scored his second goal of the match with a magnificent heel in the Belgian Nations League match against Iceland
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who had previously been named the Professional Footballers Association Player of the Year in England, set a third for Dries Mertens within five minutes of the second half.
Batshuayi added a fourth, and 18-year-old Anderlecht forward Jeremy Doku completed the scoring with 10 minutes remaining.
In the other group game, Denmark and England played a goalless draw in Copenhagen.
3:10 Highlights from the UEFA Nations League Group A2 match between Denmark and England
Elsewhere…
In Group 1 of League C, Luxembourg finished with 10 men in a 1-0 home loss to Montenegro, which recorded two wins in a row, while Cyprus were defeated again after a 1-0 defeat against Azerbaijan in Nicosia.
Earlier, Armenia had beaten Estonia 2-0 in their Group 2 match, while they finished 1-1 between Georgia and North macedonia, who tops the table with four points.
Tuesday’s League D Sierra Liechtenstein opens its Group 2 campaign with a 2-0 win in San Marino.
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