Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday marked his 200th international appearance with the winner as Portugal beat Iceland 1-0 in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying.
Elsewhere, Belgium brushed aside the Thibaut Courtois captaincy row by seeing off Estonia 3-0 thanks to a Romelu Lukaku double in Tallinn and Moldova came from two goals down to stun Poland 3-2.
Portugal appeared to be heading toward a drab goalless draw in Reykjavik until Willum Thor Willumsson was sent off late on.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Ronaldo struggled for much of the match, but repaid coach Roberto Martinez’s faith by slotting home from Goncalo Inacio’s knock-down in the 89th minute.
“It was a nice script [for Ronaldo]. There was incredible celebration, the first men’s player ever in world football to get 200 international games,” Martinez told UEFA.com.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star’s record-extending 123rd international goal was initially ruled out for offside before being awarded by the video assistant referee.
“For me it’s an unbelievable achievement, it’s amazing,” the 38-year-old Ronaldo said. “And of course to score the winning goal, it’s even more special.”
Portugal remain two points clear of Slovakia at the top of Group J after a fourth straight win.
Slovakia, who are Portugal’s next opponents in September, won 1-0 away to Liechtenstein to stay unbeaten.
Luxembourg gave their unlikely bid to reach a maiden major tournament a boost with a brilliant 2-0 away victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina to move third, just three points behind Slovakia.
The top two from each group qualify automatically for next year’s finals in Germany.
Austria remained three points clear in first place in Group F, albeit having played a game more than second-placed Belgium, as Christoph Baumgartner scored twice in the last 10 minutes to clinch a 2-0 win over Sweden.
Erling Haaland’s brace helped Norway bounce back from their dramatic defeat by Scotland at the weekend with a 3-1 victory against Cyprus.
That kept their slim hopes of reaching a first major tournament since 2000 alive, although they only sit third in Group A.
Group leaders Scotland were not blown off course by a near two-hour interruption caused by heavy rain as they maintained their 100 percent record with a 2-0 win over Georgia.
Hungary moved top of Group G by cruising past Lithuania 2-0, level on points with Serbia after their 1-1 draw with Bulgaria, while Albania beat the Faroe Islands 3-1 in Group E.
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