REYKJAVIK: Portuguese football sensation Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name in history as he marked his 200th international appearance with a dramatic last-minute goal to secure a victory against Iceland. The goal, Ronaldo’s 123rd in international football, propelled Portugal to a perfect start in Euro 2024 qualifying, maintaining their flawless record of four wins from four matches.
Prior to kick-off, the 38-year-old superstar was presented with a Guinness World Record certificate in recognition of his remarkable achievement. Reflecting on the milestone, Ronaldo expressed his joy, stating, “It’s the kind of moment you never expect, to reach 200 caps. For me, it’s an unbelievable achievement. To be in the Guinness World Records is amazing, and to score the winning goal is even more special.”
Cristiano Ronaldo Guinness World Record
Ronaldo extended his gratitude to the fans, the stadium, and the Portugal national team for making the occasion unforgettable. The historic goal came after Iceland’s Willum Willumsson received his second yellow card and was subsequently sent off, leaving Portugal with an opportunity to secure victory.
Initially, Ronaldo’s celebration was delayed as his teammate Gonçalo Inácio’s offside goal was ruled out. However, the decision was overturned after VAR intervention, granting Ronaldo the credit for the winning strike.
Despite Portugal’s disappointing World Cup campaign, which saw Ronaldo benched in the knockout stages, the talismanic forward continues to play a vital role for the national team. Following his departure from Manchester United, Ronaldo currently plies his trade with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
In other international matches, Germany suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat against Colombia, while Senegal delivered an impressive 4-2 victory over Brazil. Colombia’s Luis Diaz and Juan Cuadrado sealed their team’s first-ever win against Germany, adding to the host nation’s struggles ahead of Euro 2024 next summer.
Meanwhile, Senegal’s Sadio Mané shone in their triumph over Brazil, scoring twice alongside goals from Habib Diallo and an own goal from Marquinhos. Brazil conceded four or more goals in a match for the first time since their infamous 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinals.
