Categories: Sports

Ronaldo Equals International Record In Portugal Crunch Clash Against France

Ronaldo needs one more goal to eclipse Daei’s record.

Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to shred records at the ongoing Euro 2020.

The Juventus man converted two spot kicks against France in a pulsating Euro 2020 clash on Wednesday to earn the defending champions a place in the round of 16.

Last night’s brace takes him up to 109 goals in 176 matches for the national team, putting him at even pegging with Iran legend, Ali Daei, who who netted 109 times in 149 matches between 1993 and 2006.

Ronaldo needs one more goal to eclipse Daei’s record.

The duo are miles ahead of any other player on the list, as Malaysia hero Mokhtar Dahari, who retired in 1985, is the third top scorer on 89 goals and Hungary icon Ferenc Puskas finished his career in 1956 with 84.

Ronaldo, 36, set several records in Portugal’s opening group match against Hungary. The former Real Madrid man scored twice in the twilight stages of the 3-0 win to edge past France legend, Michel Platini, as the all time highest goal scorer in the continental showpiece.

He also became the first man to play in five different Euros and score in all five of them. Again, no player has won more matches at Euros than the talismanic skipper.

Ronaldo made his debut at Euros in 2004 on home soil in a star-studded squad that was led by former Balon D’or winner, Luis Figo.

Portugal had been tipped as favorites to win that edition of the Euros but fell at the Final hurdle against Greece in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition.

The Juventus star eventually led the national team to continental glory in 2016, defeating France in a final that was almost blighted by an early injury.

Ronaldo was forced off injured after just 25 minutes of the Euro 2016 final against France after he was injured in a collision with Dimitri Payet in the ninth minute of the game, but an extra-time goal by substitute, Eder, sealed a first ever major trophy for the Seleçao.

Ronny Ikpoto

Edidiong-Ronny Ikpoto holds a First Class degree in Media Studies. He shares a healthy enthusiasm for journalism, social & literary criticism, and creative writing.