Ukraine upstages Ronaldo’s latest feat
KIEV — Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 700th career goal but couldn’t prevent Portugal from losing 2-1 to Ukraine in an absorbing Euro 2020 qualifier on Monday.
The victory sealed Ukraine’s spot at next year’s finals as Andriy Shevchenko’s side extended its lead over Portugal to seven points.
Reigning champion Portugal holds a one-point advantage over third-place Serbia and will be expected to seal its Euro 2020 spot with wins over Lithuania and Luxembourg in its remaining games.
“We played more with the heart than with the head, especially after 2-1,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos said. “We created opportunities but didn’t score.”
At 2-0, Ronaldo netted his milestone goal by converting a 72ndminute penalty. It was his seventh goal in six qualifiers, and his 95th for his country.
The 34-year-old is now just 14 goals behind the all-time international record of 109, held by ex-Iran striker Ali Daei.
“The records come naturally,” Ronaldo said. “I don’t go after them, they come after me. I’m already thinking about tomorrow, about scoring No 701 in my next match.
“It’s not an easy number to reach. “I have to thank everyone who has helped me. It’s unfortunate that it came in a loss.”
Roman Yaremchuk fired Ukraine ahead in the sixth minute before Andriy Yarmolenko doubled the lead in the 27th.
Ukraine played with 10 men after defender Taras Stepanenko was shown a second yellow card for the handball that led to Ronaldo’s converted spot-kick.
Portugal kept pressing until the end but couldn’t find an equalizer, with Juve fullback Danilo striking the crossbar in stoppage time.
“There are days like these, when the ball just doesn’t want to go in,” said Danilo. “No need to do the math; we just need to win the next two games to reach Euro 2020.”
In Group A, England made a significant statement against racism by beating Bulgaria 6-0 in Sofia, according to Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate.
The match was twice halted by the referee after a section of the crowd directed racist abuse toward the visiting players and were pictured making Nazi salutes.
“I don’t think that’s ever been a situation that’s happened before in international football,” said Southgate. “For me, an even bigger statement was how our players played.
“We’ve got players that have been through something they should never have to experience but have come off with a smile on their face because of how they’ve played.
“They always want the story to be about football, but they’ve also been part of something that I think will be bigger.”
England centerback Tyrone Mings, who brought Southgate’s attention to the first incident after being targeted, said the players made a collective decision to continue after halftime.
“I’m very proud of the way that we handled it and let the football do the talking,” Mings said.
Raheem Sterling, who scored two goals, tweeted that he felt sorry for Bulgaria “to be represented by such idiots in their stadium”.
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, who scored the seventh-minute opener, thanked England fans for their support.
“Not an easy situation to play in and not one which should be happening in 2019. Proud we rose above it to take three points but this needs stamping out,” he said.
Rashford also praised Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov, who spent time talking to the home fans through a metal fence at the break.
“Also been told what the Bulgaria captain did at halftime. To stand alone and do the right thing takes courage and acts like that shouldn’t go unnoticed,” Rashford said.
Ross Barkley (two) and Harry Kane also hit the net to move England within a point of next year’s finals.