Algarve (Portugal)
\nCristiano Ronaldo broke the world record for goals scored in men\u2019s international football as he hit his 110th and 111th goals for Portugal in their dramatic 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland.
\nThe 36-year-old scored two late headers – to break and extend the record – after he had a penalty saved by Gavin Bazunu.
\nAli Daei, who scored 109 goals for Iran between 1993 and 2006, held the record which Ronaldo equalled with a double against France at Euro 2020.
\nThe Manchester United forward has also equalled Sergio Ramos\u2019 European record for men\u2019s caps – with his 180th Portugal appearance.
\nThe world record – only ratified by Fifa this summer – is the 195 Malaysia caps won by Soh Chin Ann between 1969 and 1984.
\nRonaldo, who rejoined United from Juventus on deadline day, and Daei are the only two male players to score 90 or more international goals.
\n\u201cI\u2019m so happy, not only because I beat the record, but for the special moment that we had,\u201d he told RTE. \u201cTwo goals at the end of the game. I have to appreciate what the team did, we believed until the end. I\u2019m so glad.\u201d
\nThis is the latest landmark to push the argument for the Portuguese to be considered an all-time great.
\nHe is already the top scorer in club football\u2019s top tournament, the European Cup\/Champions League, a trophy he has won five times.
\nThe former Real Madrid forward is also the top scorer in European Championship history (14) and in Euros and World Cups combined (21).
\nAlmost half of Ronaldo\u2019s goals have come in the final 30 minutes of games.
\nHe has netted 33 times in the final 15 minutes – including twice against the Irish – and 22 times between the 61st and 75th minute.
\nRonaldo has scored 17 times between minutes 16-30 and 16 times between 31-45, with 11 in the opening 15 minutes of the first half and 12 in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
\nSome 91 of his goals have been inside the box with 20 from outside. He has scored 14 penalties and nine free-kicks.
\nLithuania and Sweden – seven each – are the sides he has scored the most against. He had not scored against the Republic of Ireland before Wednesday\u2019s game in the Algarve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Algarve (Portugal) Cristiano Ronaldo broke the world record for goals scored in men\u2019s international football as he hit his 110th and 111th goals for Portugal in their dramatic 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland. The 36-year-old scored two late headers – to break and extend the record – after he had […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":213020,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-213000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n