Cristiano Ronaldo broke Ali Daei’s record of scoring the most number of international goals last night, netting a brace against Ireland in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers to not only beat the opponents but also to establish a new record all for himself.
“I’m extremely happy. I needed one goal, and I’ve scored two,” Ronaldo said. “I’m very happy for the two goals that gave us the victory and for breaking the record.
“This record is mine, and it is unique. I’m extremely happy, and it’s another one for my career. It’s about motivation and the desire I have to continue playing football, also from this last contract I made, in which I was happy to return home.”
“If we get up every day with the ambition to motivate and do better, to make the fans and our children happy, that is essential,” he added. “It’s another record for the museum.”
Need a winning goal in the last minutes?
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 1, 2021
Hold my ̷b̷e̷e̷r̷ water bottle 😏🚰@Cristiano pic.twitter.com/Wa0xAYKj8t
Ronaldo had the chance to break the record early in the game when Portugal were awarded a penalty, but his effort from the spot was saved by 19-year-old Gavin Bazunu of Manchester City. He slapped Dara O’Shea right before taking the penalty since he kicked the ball away from the spot, and surprisingly, VAR did not send Ronaldo off.
Late in the game, Ronaldo scored a header from a cross delivered by Goncalo Guedes in the 89th minute and he won the game for his country in a dramatic fashion by netting the second goal for Portugal as well.
After the game, Ronaldo has been released from international duty so that he can start training with Manchester United as soon as possible.
