CRISTIANO RONALDO was at his very best as the Portuguese inspired his side to a 5-0 win over Luxembourg.
- Final score: Portugal 5-0 Luxembourg
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THAT’s ALL FOR TONIGHT
Portugal are back in control of Group A thanks to a Ronaldo hat-trick in Algarve.
The 36-year-old has now scored ten international hat-tricks…… incredible.
There’s only a couple of games to go in the group stages of the qualifiers, but you’d expect Portugal to get through.
Serbia are going strong, though.
And if both win their next game, there will be just two points between them when they clash in the final group game. Thay could be tasty.
Goodnight.
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ronaldo’s game by numbers.
RON TOP
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored ten international hat-tricks.
Another record broken by CR7.
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Credit: GETTY IMAGES
FT STATS: PORTUGAL 5-0 LUXEMBOURG
Commanding display by Fernando Santos’ men.
FT: PORTUGAL 5-0 LUXEMBOURG
Defensive midfielder Palhinha got Portugal’s fourth of the game, heading home from a corner.
And Ronaldo finished the game off, meeting Neves’ free-kick at the back post tosecure his hat-trick.
He extends his lead at the top of the all-time international top scorers list.
Portugal are now back on top of Group A and they’re in prime position to secure their place at next year’s World Cup.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE GOES IN ALGARVE!
EASY WIN FOR PORTUGAL AND A RONALDO HAT-TRICK!
PORTUGAL 5-0 LUXEMBOURG
90+2. Cancelo wins Portugal a free-kick 25 yards from goal.
PORTUGAL 5-0 LUXEMBOURG
90. The fourth official holds his board up and there will be three additional minutes played at the end of the second half.
Credit: GETTY IMAGES PORTUGAL 5-0 LUXEMBOURG
89. It’s been easy for Portugal tonight.
PORTUGAL 5-0 LUXEMBOURG
87. Portugal win a free-kick 45 yards from goal.
Neves steps up and clips the ball towards the far post, picking out Ronaldo, who’s unmarked.
The 36-year-old sets himself and heads the ball into the back of the net to complete his hat-trick!
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!!
RONALDO SECURES HIS HAT-TRICK!!!
IT WAS MEANT TO BE!!!
PORTUGAL 4-0 LUXEMBOURG
85. Leao takes on his marker and manages to get to the byline.
The forward tries to cut the ball back towards the penalty spot, but his effort is blocked behind for a corner-kick.
PORTUGAL 4-0 LUXEMBOURG
83. There’s a short break in play, not quite sure what for, but Ronaldo is complaining about it.
He’s got just over five minutes to grab his third goal of the game.
One chance is all it takes……. can Portugal get the ball to the 36-year-old?
Stick around to find out!
PORTUGAL 4-0 LUXEMBOURG
81. Rodrigues tries to lose his marker with some fancy footwork, but Nunes is in no mood to play games.
The Portugal man gives the Luxembourg forward a little tug and the referee blows up for a free-kick.
PORTUGAL 4-0 LUXEMBOURG
79. DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION!
Fernandes and Silva are replaced by Guedes and Nunes.
PORTUGAL 4-0 LUXEMBOURG
78. Ronaldo feeds the ball wide to the overlapping Mendes.
The left-back hangs a cross up at the far post, but the danger is cleared towards the edge of the penalty area.
Neves takes the shot on first time, but his effort sails well over the crossbar.
PORTUGAL 4-0 LUXEMBOURG
76. Leao wins the ball back for Portugal and drives his team up the pitch.
The forward tries to slip the ball in behind Luxembourg’s backline for Fernandes to run onto, but the keeper sees the ball out for a goal-kick.
Good play by Leao.
PORTUGAL 4-0 LUXEMBOURG
74. A Luxembourg player is down holding his head after clashing with Dias.
The referee is over to check on him, but it looks like he’ll be fine to continue.
PORTUGAL 4-0 LUXEMBOURG
72. DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION!
Palhinha is replaced by Wolves’ Neves, and Leao is on for Andre up front.
Chance for the AC Milan forward to impress in front of the home crowd on his competitive debut.
PORTUGAL 4-0 LUXEMBOURG
71. Rodrigues has a chance to pull one back for the visitors.
He gets a shot off, but he’s brilliantly denied by Roma’s Patricio, who tipped the forward’s effort wide of the far post.
Luxembourg corner.
PORTUGAL 4-0 LUXEMBOURG
69. The corner is whipped into the six yard box and the towering Palhinha heads the ball into an empty net!
The Luxembourg keeper was caught in no man’s land.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!
PALHINHA ADDS A FOURTH FOR PORTUGAL!!!
GAME OVER!!!
PORTUGAL 3-0 LUXEMBOURG
67. SAVE!
Cancelo delivers a wicked cross into Luxembourg’s penalty area.
Ronaldo cushions the ball up and pulls off a spectacular overhead kick, but the keeper tips his effort over the bar!
What a save.
PORTUGAL 3-0 LUXEMBOURG
65. SUBSTITUTION!
Moutinho is hooked off for Mario, who had a brief loan spell at West Ham a couple of years back.
PORTUGAL 3-0 LUXEMBOURG
63. Sanches goes on a run for the visitors and manages to break free of two markers.
The 17-year-old gets a shot off, but gets it horribly wrong and his effort goes well wide of the target.
Not a bad initial run, though.
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
