CRISTIANO RONALDO: IN LISBON, PORTUGAL SECURED A 2-0 VICTORY AGAINST ICELAND IN THEIR EURO QUALIFYING ENCOUNTER, WITH CRISTIANO RONALDO AND THE TEAM DELIVERING A COMMANDING PERFORMANCE.
CRISTIANO RONALDO AND THE TEAM DELIVERING A COMMANDING PERFORMANCE. Portugal finished their ‘Perfect 10’ imposingly by winning 2-0 against Iceland in the Euro 2024 qualifying match. The hosts played well and easily won the game. This victory means they go to Germany next year with a perfect record of 10 wins in 10 matches. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates are very proud of this achievement.
Portugal did really well in their Euro 2024 qualifying match against Iceland and won 2-0, making it a perfect 10 wins in 10 matches. Even though the Beautiful South wasn’t there, Portugal dominated the game. They had 78% of the possession in the first half and took 15 shots, six of which were on target. It took until the 37th minute for Bruno Fernandes to score and break the deadlock. Joao Felix had two shots saved, and Goncalo Inacio and Cristiano Ronaldo missed close-range headers before Bruno Fernandes scored. Portugal wanted to end the campaign with a win, and they did it convincingly.
After the break, things went on in a similar way. Hakon Valdimarsson made a superb save to deny Ronaldo, but substitute Ricardo Horta eventually scored the second goal after the ball rebounded to him.
Valdimarsson kept being a party pooper well into the second half, making more saves to stop Joao Cancelo and Raphael Guerreiro. Later, in injury time, Guerreiro was part of the action as Iceland almost scored, hitting the bar when Arnor Traustason’s shot was deflected onto the woodwork.
TALKING POINT- CRISTIANO RONALDO DOESN’T END AS THE TOP PLAYER
Before today’s matches, Cristiano Ronaldo seemed likely to win the top scorer award in the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. He scored ten goals in eight games, making him a strong contender for the Golden Boot.
However, things changed when Romelu Lukaku scored four goals in Belgium’s big win against Azerbaijan, bringing his total to 14 for the group stage. Ronaldo tried really hard to catch up with Lukaku but missed a lot of chances with his head. Unfortunately, he couldn’t score from any of the seven times he had the chance to shoot.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Joao Felix from Portugal had an excellent game. Portugal played really well, and Joao Felix was a key player in their attacks. He caused a lot of trouble for Iceland with his quick and skillful moves, often getting past defenders to take shots or make crosses. It’s surprising that he didn’t score in this match. It’s also a bit puzzling how he had difficulties in the Premier League, but he performed at a very high level in this game.
PLAYER RATINGS
PORTUGAL: Costa 6; Mario 7, Dias 7, Inacio 6, Cancelo 7; Silva 7, Otavio 7, Fernandes 8, Palhinha 7, Felix 8; Ronaldo 6. Subs: Horta 7, Guerreiro 6, Vitinha 6, Bruma n/a, Joao Neves n/a
ICELAND: Valdimarsson 8; Hermannsson 6, Thorarinsson 6, Ingason 8, Palsson 6; Sigurdsson 6, Johannesson 6, Willumsson 5; Thorsteinsson 5, Finnbogason 4, Gudmundsson 5. Subs: Oskarsson 5, Gudjohnsen 6, Ellertsson 6, Traustason 6
KEY MOMENTS
In the 37th minute, there was a goal! Portugal scored, making it 1-0 against Iceland. Bruno Fernandes kicked a powerful shot into the far bottom corner that the goalkeeper couldn’t reach. The Manchester United player had space at the edge of the box and took advantage, making Iceland pay for it. The score is now 1-0!
In the 52nd minute, there was a great save that stopped Ronaldo from scoring. Mario sent in a cross from the right, and Ronaldo, diving, headed the ball powerfully toward the goal. However, Valdimarsson, the goalkeeper, made a good save by getting down to his right to block the shot.
In the 66th minute, there was another goal! Portugal now leads 2-0 against Iceland, and Ricardo Horta, who came in as a substitute, scored with his first touch. Joao Felix took a shot that was saved, and even Ronaldo’s rebound was stopped. However, the ball spilled to Horta, who tapped it into the empty net from five yards out.In the 93rd minute, there was a close call for Iceland. Oskarsson had a shot saved, but the ball went to Traustasson at the edge of the area. He took a shot, and Guerreiro got his head on it, directing the ball onto the bar. Iceland came very close to scoring, but the ball didn’t go into the net.
Cristiano Ronaldo Assist Vs Iceland.
— Dennoh (@CFC_dennoh) November 20, 2023
Blud wasn't Happy he Couldn't score the Tap in for Portugal. pic.twitter.com/CNHGIuwidx
KEY STATS
- With ten wins from ten games, Portugal go through a European Championship qualifying campaign unbeaten for the first time.
- Iceland’s total of ten points signals their worst European Championship qualifying group stage since their attempts to reach Euro 2012.
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