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Fans have reacted to Cristiano Ronaldo reaching a staggering milestone after scoring twice in Portugal's 3-2 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying win at home to Slovakia on Friday (October 13).
Goncalo Ramos broke the deadlock in the 18th minute at the Estadio do Dragao before Ronaldo scored from the spot 11 minutes later to double the Selecao's advantage.
David Hancko reduced arrears for Slovakia in the 69th minute as Portugal conceded for the first time in seven qualifying games. However, Ronaldo restored the hosts' two-goal lead three minutes later.
Slovakia made things interesting with Stanislav Lobotka's fabulous 80th minute effort. Nevertheless, Portugal did enough to see out the win, which confirmed their place at next year's Germany finals.
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In the process, Ronaldo scored his 71st and 72nd goals for the Selecao after turning 30. That's more than anybody has managed for 192 different countries, including the likes of bigwigs like Italy, Germany, England, France and Spain.
Fans hailed Ronaldo for his staggering accomplishment, with one tweeting that the Portuguese is the GOAT, ahead of the 'overrated' Lionel Messi:
"The GOAT. Better than overrated Messi."
Another chimed in:
"No one comes close"
Here are some of the top reactions on X, formerly called Twitter:
Ronaldo now has 125 goals in 202 international outings, including seven goals in six games in the ongoing Euro 2024 qualifiers. In 150 competitive games, he has scored 105 times, more than all but one player (Ali Daie) in international football history.
The 38-year-old is already the all-time scorer in Euro qualifying history with 38 goals (in 41 games) and the European Championship (14 goals in 25 games).
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo set to play in record-extending sixth European Championship
Playing his first home game after becoming the first male player to make 200 international appearances (against Iceland in June), Cristiano Ronaldo made it an occasion to remember.
With Portugal confirming their place in Euro 2024 with three games to spare, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is set to play in a record-extending sixth European Championship. No other player has played in more than four.
It's another feather in the cap of the legendary Ronaldo - the epitome of sustained brilliance and longevity - who continues to age like fine wine. The Al-Nassr forward will now look to win his second European Championship in what's likely to be his final appearance in the continental competition.
