Ad
In a thrilling match in Porto that occurred on 13 October night. Cristiano Ronaldo once again showcased his brilliance, scoring twice as Portugal secured a 3-2 victory over Slovakia. This win marked Portugal’s seventh consecutive victory in Group J, accumulating 21 points and guaranteeing a top-two finish.
Ronaldo’s Double Delight Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on the game was undeniable. He netted a first-half penalty and followed it up with a second-half tap-in. Taking his goal tally to an astonishing 124 for the Portuguese national team. Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez praised Ronaldo’s exceptional form, stating, “Cristiano Ronaldo is having a great time, playing a lot of minutes and scoring a lot of goals for his club. He has a lot of experience with the national team and he’s a reference point for young players.”
Group Dynamics
Slovakia, who faced Portugal, currently stands eight points behind in second place. They are closely pursued by Luxembourg, with a two-point difference, setting the stage for their upcoming clash.
Flying Start for Portugal
Portugal wasted no time and initiated the match on a high note. In the eighth minute, Goncalo Ramos met a precise cross from Bruno Fernandes, heading the ball past Slovakia’s goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka. This early goal marked Ramos’s seventh in just nine matches and provided the sixth assist of the campaign for Fernandes. In the 26th minute, Fernandes almost doubled the lead but was thwarted by Dubravka’s spectacular one-handed save. Three minutes later, VAR confirmed a handball by Denis Vavro, leading to a penalty.
Ronaldo calmly stepped up to take the penalty and achieved his 124th goal for Portugal, returning to the venue where he scored his first international goal during the opening game of Euro 2004 against Greece.
Slovakia’s Fightback
Slovakia made a spirited comeback in the 69th minute when David Hancko’s shot from outside the area deflected off Antonio Silva’s heel and found the back of the net. This was the first goal Portugal had conceded in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
However, Ronaldo swiftly reasserted Portugal’s dominance, tapping in a beautiful cross from Fernandes in the 72nd minute, marking his 125th goal.
Late Drama
The game witnessed late drama as Stanislav Lobotka unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, burying the ball in the top corner in the 80th minute. Although Portugal had opportunities to seal the match, Dubravka’s outstanding performance denied them. Nonetheless, Portugal had done enough to secure their place in Euro 2024.
Martinez, the Portuguese coach, acknowledged the significance of the victory, saying, “We won the match with a very good first half. The important thing was the result. In seven games, we’ve shown a perfect attitude. I’m very satisfied, but it’s only a stage.”
Ad
