PARIS, Nov 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 99th
international goal as reigning champions Portugal secured their place at the
Euro 2020 finals on Sunday with a 2-0 victory away to Luxembourg, while
France ended their qualifying campaign with victory.
Bruno Fernandes struck the opening goal on 39 minutes before Ronaldo tapped
in a scrappy second late on to clinch second place in Group B behind winners
Ukraine, who drew 2-2 in Serbia.
Iranian striker Ali Daei holds the world record with 109 international
goals scored in 149 appearances between 1993 and 2006.
“All records must be broken and I will beat that record,” said Ronaldo.
Portugal became the 17th nation to qualify for next year’s multi-host
tournament, which kicks off in Rome on June 12, joining the likes of world
champions France, Spain, Italy and England.
“We can’t give the match high marks for style,” said Portugal coach
Fernando Santos, who admitted the heavy pitch made life challenging for his
team.
“I’m very happy for my players because the qualifying campaign has been
more difficult than we expected.
“We’re through to the finals of a major tournament for an 11th straight
time. You’ve got to believe in these players.”
Portugal knew they would book their place at Euro 2020 with a win or by
matching Serbia’s result from their game in Belgrade.
But they were made to work hard by a Luxembourg team ranked 96th in the
world that notably held France to a 0-0 draw in 2018 World Cup qualifying.
Sporting Lisbon midfielder Fernandes broke the deadlock before half-time,
controlling Bernardo Silva’s pinpoint pass expertly before lashing in from 20
yards.
Ronaldo, who smacked in a hat-trick in Thursday’s 6-0 thrashing of
Lithuania, moved to the brink of his international century four minutes from
time.
Silva’s far-post cross was forced towards goal by Diogo Jota, with
Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris getting a hand to the ball before Ronaldo
turned in from the goalline.
– France sign off with win –
Later on Sunday, world champions France wrapped up top spot in Group H as
goals from Corentin Tolisso and Antoine Griezmann sealed a 2-0 win over
Albania in Tirana.
“I’m very dependent on the players,” French World Cup-winning coach Didier
Deschamps said after his 100th game in charge.
“It’s a personal pride. But it’s good to see what the players do together.
At times, it can be a bit more difficult with changes to the players, injured
players, but the spirit is there.”
The French national anthem was roundly booed before kick-off as retribution
for the error that saw the Andorran anthem played instead of the Albanian one
when the teams met in September at the Stade de France.
The visitors made a quick start on the pitch, though, as Bayern Munich
midfielder Tolisso headed Griezmann’s free-kick into the bottom corner.
The Barcelona star slotted in the second himself on the half-hour mark,
before the dead rubber petered out in the second period, with Olivier Giroud
going closest to a third by striking the post.
The other games in the group saw Turkey, who had also already sealed
qualification, beat Andorra 2-0, while Iceland edged to a 2-1 victory at
Moldova.
England rounded off an impressive campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of Kosovo.
Goals from Harry Winks, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount ensured
England finished at the Group A summit, having scored 37 goals in just eight
matches.
“We know there is still a bit of work to do but I can’t fault the players
in this campaign, they’ve been ruthless. We’re more settled with the group
now,” said England manager Gareth Southgate.
The Czech Republic are also through, but lost 1-0 in Bulgaria on Sunday.