What a week for Cristiano Ronaldo. Last week, it was announced that he would return to Manchester United, the team that birthed the legend that is Ronaldo today. Today, he was out there breaking the international goal-scoring record. Oh, and he did it in the only way Ronaldo knows how to do it — in dramatic fashion.
Cristiano Ronaldo Shatters International Goal Record
The Match
Portugal was facing The Republic Of Ireland in a World Cup 2022 qualifying match. Ronaldo only needed one goal in the match to stand alone at the top of the record books. It looked as though the huge moment would come early on when Bruno Fernandes was fouled by an Irish defender in the penalty box. The referee awarded a penalty kick to the Portuguese, and it looked as though Ronaldo would break the record in a way that we’ve all seen him score many goals. However, his kick was saved, and his journey to become the international goal-scoring leader sped on.
However, the game itself had turned on its head. Right before the halftime whistle, Irish forward John Egan headed a corner kick into the back of the net to give the Irish a 1-0 lead at the midway point. The Portuguese pressed the Irish for the majority of the second half and looked like the team keener to score. In the 88th minute, Portugal winger Goncalo Guedes played a lovely cross into the penalty area. It then met the head of Cristiano Ronaldo who put it into the back of the net to tie the game up.
With the score tied at one, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Ronaldo decided he would seal the deal and bring home three points for the Portuguese. With seconds left on the clock, Portugal midfielder Joao Mario played in a great cross, that also met Ronaldo’s head and landed in the back of the net. Ronaldo ripped off his shirt and did his usual goal celebration.
Ronaldo now has 111 international goals, with Ali Daei of Iran following him up with 109. It was a great moment for the soccer world, as well as just casual sports fans. Ronaldo had one hell of a week. I am just itching to see him put on the red and white in Old Trafford next weekend.
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