Portugal star striker Cristiano Ronaldo continues to shatter more records. Ronaldo, on Tuesday, became the first men’s player to score 10 International hat-tricks as Portugal smashed Luxembourg by 5-0. Ronaldo scored twice through penalties in the eighth and the 13th minute to give a 2-0 lead to his team in the World Cup qualifier at Estádio Algarve, Portugal.
Subsequently, Ronaldo extended the home side lead in the 87th minute to 5-0 and also bagged his 10th International hat-trick. Ronaldo now has 115 International goals for his national team. The talisman had earlier broken Ali Daei’s record of most International goals in September.
The Manchester United star has played 182 matches for Portugal, which is the most for any European player. In fact, he is 13 matches behind former Malaysia international Soh Chin Ann’s all-time mark.
Furthermore, this was Ronaldo’s 58th career hat-trick. The linchpin has scored one hat-trick for the Red Devils, 44 for Real Madrid, three for Juventus while 10 have come in Portugal shirt.
This was Portugal’s fifth win out of the six matches they have played and they are now one point behind Group A leaders, Serbia. Thus, Fernando Santos’ side looks all set to qualify for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
“Another victory, another step towards our goal, another historic night in defense of our colors!” the United striker wrote on Instagram after the Luxembourg game.
“Everything becomes easier when we play at home and in front of an audience that cares for us from the first to the last minute…
“I had promised that I would always be looking for more and more and more! It’s in my DNA and in our DNA, we’re never content, we never lower our arms and we always go.”