The Al-Nassr star scored his 128th goal in international football to secure a victory despite a generally poor performance.
Cristiano Ronaldo played the role of hero to save Portugal from an unstable performance, scoring the first goal in a 2-0 win against Liechtenstein. Although Portugal managed to keep a clean sheet and had 29 shots compared to their opponents’ 5, their performance was not impressive. Martinez’s team had difficulty creating opportunities and should have won more comfortably.
In the first half, Portugal struggled to create opportunities due to the hosts’ strong defensive setup. They attempted 14 shots, but only managed to get four on target. Ronaldo had the closest chance towards the end of the half, but his shot was saved by Benjamin Buchel.
The first goal, scored by the captain, was reminiscent of older times. Ronaldo sprinted down the left side and fired a shot past the goalkeeper, who had no chance of stopping it. Joao Cancelo quickly added a second goal, curling a beautiful finish into the net after a mistake by Buchel. Unfortunately, Goncalo Ramos had a third goal disallowed, making it a slightly frustrating night for Portugal.
Portugal should have made this match easier considering the significant difference in FIFA rankings between the two teams. The Selecao took too long to score and didn’t capitalize on their advantage. However, with their qualification for Euro 2024 secured, this match served as a warm-up for a team that has the potential to make an impact next summer, especially if their key player continues to perform well.
