In an unforgettable and historic game, Cristiano Ronaldo made history as he became the first men’s player to win 200 international caps. He celebrated this landmark moment by scoring Portugal’s last-ditch winner in Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifying match against Iceland.
The goal not only secured a 1-0 victory at Laugardalsvöllur, but extended Ronaldo’s world record of international goals to 123. The Al Nassr striker struck by turning in a close-range header from Goncalo Inacio. The effort was initially ruled out for offside before being awarded by VAR.
The match-winner capped off a remarkable moment for Ronaldo, who was given a certificate by Guinness World Records before kick-off for breaking Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa’s 196-cap record for the most international caps won in men’s international football back in March.
“Triumph with a special flavor. Not only for the day it was, for the tribute, for the 200th game… To top it off with a goal, I can’t ask for more,” Ronaldo said after the match.
“It was spectacular, unforgettable, for everything it generated around the game. I have to thank the Icelanders, to the federation for the surprise. And to Guinness World Records!”
In his 20th year of playing for Portugal, Ronaldo is still a regular in the team at the age of 38. He may no longer play club football in Europe, but his presence remains vital. With his fifth goal of Euro 2024 qualifying, CR7 has helped take Roberto Martinez’s side to four wins from four games. They sit top of the Group J table, two points above the second-placed Slovakia.
Iceland, who are down in fifth with a mere three points, had Willum Willumsson sent off for two bookings with 10 minutes to go on Tuesday.
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