2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Portugal 4-1 Latvia - Five Talking Points
Cristiano Ronaldo struck a brace and also missed a penalty as Portugal cruised to a hard-fought 4-1 win over a gritty Latvia.
The Seleccao skipper put the hosts ahead with a nervy spot kick but missed a chance to double his tally when presented with another opportunity from 12 yards, smashing his effort against the post. The visitors then punished the European champions with an equalising goal soon after, but William Carvalho, Ronaldo, and Bruno Alves all struck late in the game to ensure full 3 points on matchday four.
Here are some of the major talking points from the game.
1.Ronaldo extends his remarkable qualifying run
Having struck 5 times in just 2 appearances, the Portuguese captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo plundered in another pair of strikes to draw level with Poland’s Robert Lewandowski at the top of the goalscoring charts in the qualifying with 7 goals.
The 31-year old had already tested the Latvian goalkeeper with 2 clinical efforts but managed to get his goal in the 28th minute with a fiercely taken penalty. The Real Madrid man, however, squandered another spot-kick in the second half by hitting the bar but made up for the mistake with a thunderous volley 5 minutes from time.
The Real Madrid superstar has now scored 68 international goals, which as much as Gerd Muller and Robbie Keane, and trails only Miroslav Klose (71), and Ferenc Puskas (84) in Europe’s all-time list.