Portugal achieved a convincing 4-0 victory over minnows Liechtenstein in their opening game of the Euro 2024 qualifiers on Thursday night.
The star of the show was once again Cristiano Ronaldo with the 38-year old making the headlines even before kick-off, when manager Roberto Martinez selected him in the first squad, enabling him to cap his 197 appearence, which made him the player with most international cap in football’s history.
Ronaldo didn’t stop there as he has done so often in his illustrious career as he celebrated the achievement the only way he knows – by scoring goals.
He bagged home a 51st minute penalty and a trademark free-kick in the 63rd minute to help his team thrash a far superior Liechtestein side.
Joao Cancelo put the home side in front with eight minutes played. Despite the comfortable start, Liechhtenstein’s defence proved difficult to crack.
Portugal had to wait for the second half when Bernando Silva picked up a loose ball and smashed it into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
After that, the Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal festival proceeded, as Portugal were comfortably in the driving seat.