Ronaldo Leads Portugal to Victory Over Ireland

Ronaldo

Ronaldo Dreams of Euro Glory After Portugal’s Victory Over Ireland

Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice for Portugal, leading them to a 3-0 triumph over the Republic of Ireland in their final warm-up match before Euro 2024. The match, held on Tuesday, served as a crucial confidence booster for Portugal following a recent defeat to Croatia. Joao Felix also found the net, adding to the team’s morale as they prepare for the tournament in Germany.

Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, opted to start Ronaldo in the game against Ireland in Aveiro after the 39-year-old star watched the Croatia match from the bench. Ronaldo came close to scoring in the first half but ultimately dismantled the visitors in the second, showcasing his enduring prowess on the field.

Veteran defender Pepe, 41, who is poised to become the oldest player ever to participate in the Euros, also started the match. Portugal, the Euro 2016 winners, had qualified for the tournament with a flawless record. Despite this, recent performances had sparked some doubts about their form.

Ronaldo addressed these expectations, acknowledging the pressure on the team. “The Portuguese expect a lot from Portugal; there’s no margin for error. They always want Portugal to win because of the generation, the talent there is,” he said. “We have to have our feet on the ground and our thoughts in the sky, dreaming of the Euros.”

Set to appear in a record sixth edition of the tournament, Ronaldo reflected on his journey with the national team. “Going back to 2004… my thoughts and my pride remain the same,” he said. “Playing for the Portuguese national team, it doesn’t get better than this. For the Euros, we have to think positively. This team has to dream and has been working hard because just having talent is no use if there’s no hard work.”

The match against Ireland saw Felix break the deadlock with a smart finish after a short corner routine in the 18th minute. Ronaldo nearly doubled the lead with a deflected free-kick that struck the post. The Al-Nassr striker also had a penalty appeal turned down and fired a decent opening straight at Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher towards the end of the first half.

Ronaldo did not have to wait much longer to score, as he pounced shortly after the break with a sublime effort curled into the top corner. He then grabbed another goal after Diogo Jota found him well-placed in the area. This second goal marked Ronaldo’s record-extending 130th international goal. He nearly completed a hat trick, narrowly missing the target as Ireland, under interim coach John O’Shea, began to tire.

Felix highlighted the importance of the match against Croatia in grounding the team. “The game against Croatia served to bring us down a peg, and today we did a great job. It’s about following this line,” he said. “We have 100 percent confidence on the way to Germany.”

Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign begins on Friday, with their first match against the Czech Republic on June 18. They will then face Turkey and Georgia in Group F. As the tournament approaches, Portugal, led by their evergreen talisman Ronaldo, aim to harness their blend of experience and youthful talent to achieve Euro glory.

For more related news please visit our official site!
By- Sahiba Suri

Leave a Reply