Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal thrashed Iceland 4-0 in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday evening at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. The victory keeps Portugal’s hopes alive in their bid to qualify for next year’s tournament in Germany. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 3′, capitalising on a defensive error before doubling his tally in the 29′. Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leão added further goals in the 37′ and 80′ respectively. The win moves Portugal up to second place in Group J, three points behind leaders Slovakia, who also won their match on the day. Iceland, meanwhile, remains bottom of the group with just one point from four matches.
Ronaldo Strikes Twice in Portugal's Rout of Iceland
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal thrashed Iceland 4-0 in their UEFA Nations League encounter. The Manchester United forward opened the scoring in the 28th minute, capitalising on a defensive error. He doubled his tally in the second half, sealing Portugal’s commanding victory.
Ronaldo’s first goal came after Iceland’s defensive line failed to track his run into the box. The 37-year-old slotted the ball past goalkeeper Ólafur Kristjánsson with composure. His second goal was a powerful header from a Bruno Fernandes corner in the 72nd minute.
Portugal’s victory was never in doubt after Ronaldo’s opener. The hosts dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout the match. Iceland struggled to contain Portugal’s attacking threat, despite their defensive efforts.
The result extended Portugal’s unbeaten run under manager Fernando Santos. The victory also boosted Portugal’s chances of progressing in the UEFA Nations League. Ronaldo’s performance further cemented his status as a key player for both club and country.
Iceland, meanwhile, faced criticism for their defensive display. Manager Ólafur Kristjánsson acknowledged the need for improvement ahead of their next fixture. The defeat left Iceland with a challenging path to advancement in the competition.
Portugal Dominates Iceland with Ronaldo's Double
Portugal secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Iceland in their latest international friendly, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice. The match took place at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, with Ronaldo opening the scoring in the 23rd minute and sealing his brace just after half-time.
The 38-year-old captain showcased his clinical finishing, converting a penalty in the first half and slotting home a second goal in the 51st minute. Portugal’s dominance was evident throughout, with Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leão adding further goals in the 37th and 78th minutes respectively.
Iceland struggled to contain Portugal’s attacking prowess, with their goalkeeper, Freyðún Ómarsson, making several crucial saves to prevent a heavier defeat. Despite Iceland’s defensive efforts, Portugal’s relentless pressure proved too much, with Ronaldo’s experience and leadership proving decisive.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez praised Ronaldo’s performance post-match, stating, “Cristiano’s contribution was immense. His goals and overall play set the tone for the team.” The victory extends Portugal’s unbeaten streak to five matches, with Ronaldo continuing to defy expectations at his advanced age.
Ronaldo's Double Leads Portugal to 4-0 Victory
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal cruised to a 4-0 victory over Iceland in their UEFA Nations League match. The Manchester United forward opened the scoring in the 27th minute, with his second goal coming in the 71st minute. Ronaldo now has 117 international goals, moving him one ahead of Iran’s Ali Daei in the all-time scoring charts.
Portugal’s dominance was evident from the start, with Ronaldo’s first goal coming from a penalty after a foul on Bernardo Silva. The second goal was a clinical finish from a Diogo Jota cross. Ronaldo’s milestone moment drew praise from his manager, Fernando Santos.
“Cristiano is an extraordinary player,” Santos said post-match. “His dedication and professionalism are an example to everyone.” The victory keeps Portugal top of Group A3 in the UEFA Nations League, with four wins from four matches.
Iceland struggled to contain Portugal’s attack, with goalkeeper Hannes Þór Halldórsson making several crucial saves. Despite the heavy defeat, Iceland manager Ólafur Kristjánsson remained upbeat. “Portugal are a top team, but we have areas to improve,” he stated.
The match saw Portugal create numerous chances, with Ronaldo’s teammates also contributing. Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Jota scored the other two goals, in the 35th and 86th minutes respectively. Portugal’s defence also held firm, with no goals conceded in their last four matches.
Iceland Overwhelmed as Ronaldo Scores Twice
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal defeated Iceland 4-0 in their Euro 2016 Group F match. The Real Madrid forward opened the scoring in the first half, before adding his second goal in the second period. Portugal’s victory puts them top of Group F with six points from two matches.
Ronaldo’s first goal came in the 32nd minute, as he converted from the penalty spot after Iceland’s Kári Árnason was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. The 31-year-old then doubled his tally in the 58th minute, finishing from close range after a cross from João Moutinho.
Portugal’s other goals came from Nani and Ricardo Quaresma. Nani scored in the 37th minute, while Quaresma netted in the 80th minute to seal the victory. Iceland, who are playing in their first major tournament, remain bottom of Group F with no points.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos praised his team’s performance after the match. “We played very well today,” he said. “We created many chances and scored four goals. I am very happy with the result.” Iceland coach Lars Lagerbäck acknowledged the defeat but remained upbeat. “We are disappointed with the result, but we will learn from this experience,” he said.
Portugal's Ronaldo Scores Twice in Comprehensive Win
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal defeated Iceland 4-0 in their UEFA Euro 2020 Group A match. The victory extends Portugal’s unbeaten run to 32 matches, a national record.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the first half, heading in a cross from Raphael Guerreiro in the 31st minute. The captain then doubled his tally in the second half, converting a penalty awarded for a handball by Iceland’s Ragnar Sigurdsson.
Portugal’s other goals came from Raphael Guerreiro in the 58th minute and a stunning strike from Bernardo Silva in the 79th minute. The win puts Portugal top of Group A with six points from two matches.
Iceland, who had drawn their opening match against Hungary, struggled to contain Portugal’s attacking prowess. The Nordic island’s coach, Erik Hamren, admitted his team was outclassed. “Portugal were the better team today. We couldn’t cope with their quality,” Hamren said post-match.
Portugal’s coach, Fernando Santos, praised his team’s performance. “We played well today. We controlled the game and created many chances,” Santos said. The victory sets up an interesting final group match between Portugal and Hungary.
Portugal’s commanding 4-0 victory over Iceland saw Cristiano Ronaldo continue his impressive form, netting twice. The win keeps Portugal firmly in contention for the top spot in their Euro 2024 qualifying group. With this performance, Ronaldo has now scored 121 international goals, further cementing his status as one of football’s all-time greats. The result also marks a significant step forward for Portugal’s young talents, who delivered a polished display alongside their experienced captain. As the qualifying campaign progresses, Portugal will look to build on this momentum, with crucial matches against Slovakia and Luxembourg on the horizon.
