Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice against Hungary to move beyond France’s Michel Platini as the record goalscorer at European Championship finals, taking his tally to 11 at the Puskas Area in Budapest on Tuesday.
Ronaldo and Platini had been locked on nine goals apiece before the tournament, but the Portuguese winger’s double late on against the Hungarians added to his growing tally of records.
The Portugal striker grabbed his 10th goal – and later 11th – in all finals at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, taking him clear of Platini.
While the Frenchman scored all his goals in just one tournament in 1984, Ronaldo has bagged his across five different campaigns.
His first came in his first appearance – a consolation in the opening group game of Euro 2004 against Greece.
And he’ll hoping this won’t be his last as he looks to help his side retain their title won in France in 2016.
Former England internationals and pundits Rio Ferdinand and Gary Lineker were among those to pay tribute to the 36-year-old on social media after breaking another goalscoring record.
Lineker tweeted: ‘Sensational football from Portugal and the ridiculous @Cristiano finishes with his customary brilliance.
‘Make that 11 goals in the Euros.’
Ferdinand added: ‘Wow this guy man… Relentless’
Sami Khedira said: ‘UNSTOPPABLE’
Piers Morgan said: ‘WOW!!! Ronaldo scores again with a goal of wondrous quality.
‘What a player. He’s 36!’
Ronaldo had missed a superb opportunity in the first half when he fired over from close range with the goal at his mercy.
But when offered the chance from the penalty spot on 87 minutes, he made no mistake.
He rifled the ball into the corner of the net and set off for one of his trademark celebrations, which drew plenty of whistles from the capacity 67,000 mostly Hungarian fans in the stadium.
There was still time to add a second in injury time at the end of the game as he took a pass near the six-yard box and danced past a couple of home defenders as well as goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi to score.
Ronaldo has now also extended his record as the only player to score in five separate Euros finals, and has also played the most games, with the match against Hungary being his 22nd since he made his debut in 2004.
COMMENTS