Cristiano Ronaldo hits another high

Faro (Portugal), September 2

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty but still broke the men’s international scoring record before adding a second goal as Portugal beat visiting Ireland 2-1 in World Cup qualifying.

Ronaldo grabbed his 110th goal in the 89th minute on Wednesday to move ahead of former Iran striker Ali Daei. Six minutes into stoppage time, Ronaldo made it 111 in 180 games to break Irish hearts after defender John Egan gave his nation the lead in the 45th.

“I’m very happy, not only because I beat the record but for the special moments that we had,” Ronaldo said. “Two goals at the end of the game is so tough, but I have to appreciate what the team did. We believed until the end,” he added.

But Ronaldo, who has returned to join Manchester United, is still 76 goals behind the game’s most prolific international scorer. Christine Sinclair, who is 38, scored her 187th goal for Canada last month at the Tokyo Olympics.

Portugal leads with 10 points from four games and sits three points ahead of Serbia, which did not play on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, France had to settle for a comeback 1-1 draw at home against Bosnia and Herzegovina thanks to Antoine Griezmann’s 39th international goal.

Another prolific striker was on target, as Erling Haaland put Norway ahead in a 1-1 home draw with the Netherlands.

European Championship semifinalist Denmark sits proudly on top with four straight wins after beating Scotland 2-0, thanks to goals from veteran midfielder Daniel Wass and defender Joakim Maehle. — AP