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FARO, Portugal (AP) – Cristiano Ronaldo added to his scoring record in men’s international football by helping Portugal eliminate Qatar 3-0 in a friendly on Saturday, while Serbia took the lead in their qualifying group for the World Cup.
Ronaldo surpassed the 110-goal mark held by Iranian Ali Daei last month when he scored twice against Ireland to give him 111. Since then he has missed two matches for Portugal, including a 3 victory. -1 over Qatar in another friendly against next year’s World Cup hosts.
Returning to the Algarve Stadium, Ronaldo scored 112 goals in the 37th minute, using his left foot to score from close range after an assist from Manchester United teammate Diogo Dalot.
Coach Fernando Santos knocked out Ronaldo at half-time, just before José Fonte doubled the advantage. Rafael Leão, Ronaldo’s replacement, touched the woodwork and André Silva completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Ronaldo made his 181st appearance for Portugal, one more than Sergio Ramos for Spain, for most in European international football. Ramos has not played for Spain for several months due to an injury.
SERBIA IN THE LEAD
As Portugal maintained their winning form, their rivals to reach the World Cup were in action in their European qualifying group.
Serbia edged Portugal to take the lead in Group A with a 1-0 victory over Luxembourg. The victory gave the Serbs one more point than Portugal, who still have one game to go.
Dusan Vlahovic took the winner for Serbia in the 68th after Milos Veljkovic cleared him.
Portugal hosts Luxembourg on Tuesday, while Serbia hosts Azerbaijan.
IRELAND, FINALLY
Ireland coach Stephen Kenny claimed his first victory in 13 competitive appearances after his side beat Azerbaijan 3-0 in Baku.
Ireland remained second to last with five points, one behind Luxembourg. Azerbaijan stayed at the bottom of the group with a point.
Forward Callum Robinson scored Ireland’s first two goals.
He hit from outside the box in the seventh after receiving the ball from James McClean. As the hosts pressed for an equalizer, Robison made it 2-0 in the 39th when his long-range strike hit a defender to leave goalkeeper Sahruddin Mehemmedeliyev out of position.
Substitute Chiedozie Ogbene concluded the well-deserved victory with his first goal for Ireland in stoppage time.
Robinson had been the center of attention in Ireland this week after his revelation that he had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 despite having tested positive twice for the coronavirus.
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