CRISTIANO RONALDO is only one goal away from 100 international strikes for his country Portugal.
But the 99th one, that came in a 2-0 win against Luxembourg, saw him “steal” it from substitute Diogo Jota.
Cristiano Ronaldo tapped home his 99th international goal during Portugal’s 2-0 win against LuxembourgCredit: EPA
And of course it comes just weeks after his furious reaction to Juventus team-mate and former Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey turning home his goal-bound effort.
That came against Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League – the Welshman even incredibly apologised for scoring after that game.
But in their Euro 2020 qualifier away at Luxembourg, Ronaldo turned from provider to poacher to poke home Diogo Jota’s effort.
It would have also been Jota’s first international debut in just his second Portugal appearance.
CHASING ALI DAEI
Unsurprisingly, it led to football fans on social media loving the fact that the 34-year-old had “done a Ramsey”.
One fan wrote on Twitter: “Need Ronaldo to apologise for stealing Jota’s goal like he forced Ramsey to do.”
Francisco Pombo simple wrote: “Ronaldo did a Ramsey.”
Ajayi Damilare posted: “Ronaldo scored a Ramsey-esque goal today. “It’s good for the culture… 99 and counting.”
Ronaldo will now have to wait until March next year to join the 100 club, and become only the second player ever to hit a century of international goals.
He is now only 10 behind Iran legend Ali Daei who holds the record with 109 goals scored between 1993 and 2006.
Ronaldo scored the second goal in a 2-0 win against the minnows that saw Portugal secure qualification for Euro 2020 – and of course the chance to defend their crown.
Bruno Fernandes had got the ball rolling in the 39th minute with a sweet strike.
They join Ukraine out of Group B to make the finals, with Serbia now forced into a play-off.
Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t too happy when Aaron Ramsey poached his goalCredit: Reuters
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
