World Cup qualifiers

CRISTIANO RONALDO made history by becoming the all-time men’s leading international goalscorer – and then broke Irish hearts in Fergie time.Manchester United’s new signing powered home superb headers in the 89th and 96th minutes to beat Ali Daei’s 109-goal record and move onto 111.
Cristiano Ronaldo bagged his 110th and 111th international goalsCredit: Sportsfile
The late brace secured Portugal a stunning comeback win over IrelandCredit: AP
Both goals came in the dying minutes as Ronaldo turned the game on its headCredit: AP

His heroics clinched a stunning 2-1 win for Portugal in this World Cup qualifier.
For 89 minutes, as the Irish mix of kids and journeymen somehow defied logic to hold onto the lead given them by John Egan’s header, Ronaldo’s big night was turning into an evening to forget.
A missed penalty and scuffle with Dara O’Shea that could, with another referee, have led to a red card, was just the start as Ronaldo summed up all of Portugal’s frustrations.
That the main source of them was a teenage rookie keeper, on loan at Portsmouth from Manchester City, would have made him feel even worse.
Portugal hammered at their opponent’s door, which was being well marshalled by young goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.
He parried Ronaldo’s penalty before efforts from Bernardo Silva and Joao Mario failed to break Ireland’s resolve.
But, in Ronaldo, Portugal – and now United – have a player who can turn a lost cause into a personal triumph, in the blink of an eye. You are NEVER out of a match.
And in the 89th-minute Goncalo Guedes’ cross was headed home by the veteran to break Daei’s record.

Ronaldo bagged two late goals to earn Portugal a huge winCredit: AP
The brace broke Ireland hearts after a valiant display from the visitorsCredit: Sportsfile
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And that was not enough for the insatiable striker, who popped up with virtually last action of the game to grab the winner.
Mario provided the ball in and once again Ronaldo guided his brilliant header into the net.
The superstar whipped off his shirt in trademark fashion as Estadio Algarve wildly celebrated Portugal’s favourite son, holding his iconic No7 jersey aloft.
On full-time, he took away both match balls he scored with as an extra trophy.
A yellow card for his celebration means he can head to Manchester after Saturday’s friendly with Qatar rather than flying to Azerbaijan.

He declared after the final whistle: “I’m happy not only because I got the record but for the special moments that we had with two goals at the end.”
“I have to appreciate what the team did. We believed until the end. For the supporters, I’m so happy.”
On the penalty miss, Ronaldo added: “It’s part of the game. Sometimes we score, sometimes you [make a] mistake. It’s part of the business.

“But I still believed until the end of the game so I am so glad to score and win the game.”
Portugal peppered the Irish goal with 29 shots in total, of which Ronaldo fired in eight.
And the comeback means the Selecao are well on their way to the World Cup with ten points from four games, leaving Ireland stuck on zero.

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Cristiano Ronaldo lashes out at Ireland’s Dara O’Shea as fans call for Man Utd superstar to be sent off for Portugal More

CRISTIANO RONALDO lashed out at Ireland’s Dara O’Shea before missing a penalty for Portugal.And the Manchester United superstar’s actions prompted Irish fans to question whether he deserved to stay on the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo lashed out at Dara O’Shea as Portugal played the Republic of Ireland
Irish fans questioned why Ronaldo wasn’t sent off before he missed a penalty
A mistake from Jeff Hendrick conceded the spot-kick to Bruno Fernandes nine minutes into Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier.
And Ronaldo grabbed the ball before an agonising wait for VAR to confirm the foul at Estadio Algarve.
However, Republic of Ireland defender O’Shea decided to play some mind games as Ronnie was waiting.
He cheekily kicked the ball off the penalty spot, but Ronaldo was not impressed.
The ex-Real Madrid and Juventus man batted O’Shea away angrily with one arm, forcing the West Brom ace to grab his head in pain
But Ronaldo, who was not punished by the ref, then had his penalty saved by Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in just his fifth cap for Ireland.

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However, some Irish fans questioned whether Ronaldo should have even been on the pitch to take it after his actions against O’Shea.
One said: “In the Premier League, that is a red card.”
Another tweeted: “Red all day lmao.”
One questioned: “How is that not a red?”
Another noted: “Any other player gets sent off there.”
One added: “For a player who is all about respect and passion, that’s a disgraceful act.”
Ireland then took a shock lead through John Egan on the stroke of half-time and looked to be heading for three impressive points.

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As the clock ticked on, it looked as if Ronaldo would have to wait to become the all-time record international scorer.
But he would not be denied, leaping to score an impressive header in the 89th minute to put him alone at the top of the scoring charts with 110 international goals.
And he was not done there, scoring with another incredible header seven minutes later to earn Portugal all three points.
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CRISTIANO RONALDO blew his first chance to become the all-time top international goalscorer against the Republic of Ireland.But the Portuguese superstar had the last laugh as he scored TWO incredible late headers to turn the game on its head and etch his name into the record books.

Cristiano Ronaldo saw his penalty saved by Republic of Ireland keeper Gavin BazunuCredit: AP
It was from the spot where the Manchester United forward hoped to hit his 110th Portugal strike – a tally never seen at this level.
A mistake from Jeff Hendrick conceded the spot-kick to Bruno Fernandes nine minutes into Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier.
And Ronaldo grabbed the ball before an agonising wait for VAR to confirm the foul at Estadio Algarve.
But the striker was beaten by Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in just his fifth cap for Ireland.
The Portsmouth loanee, 19, dived to his right to strongly parry the shot away.
As time ticked on it looked like Ronaldo would have to wait longer to finally beat the international tally of Iran legend Ali Daei.

Daei notched an incredible 109 goals in 140 appearances for Iran, before retiring from the game in 2006.
It was already been a memorable few weeks for Ronaldo.
At Euro 2020, he became the first man to play at five different Euros, the oldest player to net for Portugal at a major tournament, and the competition’s all-time top scorer.
The superstar then completed a return to Manchester United after over a decade away from Old Trafford.

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The striker then finally managed to break Daei”s record with an incredible 89th-minute header that finally beat Bazunu and took his tally to 110.
And he wasn’t done there.
Seven minutes later Ronaldo was at it again, powering in another brilliant header to earn all three points and write his name in the history books.

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MASON MOUNT is one of the first names on Gareth Southgate’s team sheet.  The England manager’s only decision is where to play him.
Mason Mount has become an important player for England – his versatility is key for Gareth SouthgateCredit: Getty
Yet this is not a problem but instead, a massive plus. Wherever you put Mount on the pitch, is like putting a square peg in a square hole.
And on Wednesday night, the Chelsea player underlined what an enormous talent he is providing England’s midfield with an energetic heartbeat.
Just when Southgate’s team were running out of ideas, he caused some major panic in the visiting defence to win a corner with Harry Maguire hammering the winner.
All of a sudden, the group seemed a lot easier again.
There was a day when the so-called utility player was someone not really good enough to start anywhere.
But Mount’s versatility and class – as he displayed in abundance here – has already been enough to impress Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.
Mount was tagged as the teacher’s pet when Frank Lampard was Chelsea manager and we have a similar situation with England. 
This was Mount’s eight successive start and this was only his 16th cap.
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Southgate has known for a long time here is a serious quality player, even though England fans are only just realising it.
Particularly in the first half for England last night, he was unplayable on the left of a central three.
In a clear tactical ploy, he pushed wide out towards Raheem Sterling to such an extent that at times, the pair could have kept exchanging fist bumps. Poland were swamped.
It was down the left where Sterling caused mayhem with a brilliant run to win a penalty for Harry Kane.
Equally, there were various occasions where Mount and Sterling enjoyed a telepathic understanding.  
Pushing for a second goal before half-time, Sterling was released by his partner in crime and while the shot was blocked, Mount delivered an attempt and believed he was fouled in the process screaming in agony.

Mount, you can be certain, will be used in different positions in the two warm-up games against Austria and Romania before Croatia arrive here at Wembley for the first game of Euro2020 on June 13.
Against Albania, Mount played the left of the attacking three with Kane the lone striker. 
He made it 2-0 and became the first Chelsea player to score or assist in three consecutive England appearances since Frank Lampard, in 2013.
In the 5-0 win over San Marino, Mount was back where he was here last night, to the left of the midfield three.
Previously, Southgate has not been afraid to put Mount deeper in a defensive two alongside close pal Declan Rice, West Ham’s increasingly impressive midfielder grafter.
It will not be long before both Mount and Rice are the official captains of their respective clubs.
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Despite his outstanding first half Mount, like his team-mates, were nowhere near as effective after the break.
They were not helped by the cock-up between Nick Pope and John Stones which led to Poland’s leveller through Jakub Moder.
Yet Mount was on a mission to change the game and he did just that, delivering a good run and attempting a shot before forcing the corner expertly taken by Phil Foden. 
With Stones and Maguire also involved, the winner was certainly made in Manchester.
Yet this promising England team, which is by no means perfect and has some worrying issues, is not simply a northern powerhouse.
There are a few southerners doing their bit for Southgate with captain Kane still the main man. But Mount is not far behind.
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