• Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, celebrates after scoring a goal during the international friendly between Portugal and Andorra in Lisbon. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, celebrates after scoring a goal during the international friendly between Portugal and Andorra in Lisbon. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo vies fo the ball with Andorra midfielder Moises San Nicolas. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo vies fo the ball with Andorra midfielder Moises San Nicolas. AFP
  • Renato Sanches, second left, is congratulated by teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, left, after scoring his team's third goal. AP
    Renato Sanches, second left, is congratulated by teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, left, after scoring his team's third goal. AP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, reacts during the international friendly between Portugal and Andorra. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, reacts during the international friendly between Portugal and Andorra. AP
  • Portugal's Pedro Neto, right, attempts to skip a challenge from Andorra midfielder Marc Pujol. AFP
    Portugal's Pedro Neto, right, attempts to skip a challenge from Andorra midfielder Marc Pujol. AFP
  • Portugal's Renato Sanches, centre, scores his team's third goal. AP
    Portugal's Renato Sanches, centre, scores his team's third goal. AP
  • Portugal's Francisco Trincão, right, on the ball against and Andorras' Marc Garcia. AP
    Portugal's Francisco Trincão, right, on the ball against and Andorras' Marc Garcia. AP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo, right, watches the match from the stands. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo, right, watches the match from the stands. AP
  • Pedro Neto (L) celebrates after scoring Portugal's first goal against Andora. EPA
    Pedro Neto (L) celebrates after scoring Portugal's first goal against Andora. EPA
  • Renato Sanches vies with Marc Pujol (L) and Aaron Sanchez. AFP
    Renato Sanches vies with Marc Pujol (L) and Aaron Sanchez. AFP
  • Portugal's Francisco Trincao wins a header in front of Andorra's Cristian Martinez. EPA
    Portugal's Francisco Trincao wins a header in front of Andorra's Cristian Martinez. EPA
  • Renato Sanches, right, is tackled by Andorras' Marc Pujol. AP
    Renato Sanches, right, is tackled by Andorras' Marc Pujol. AP

Football

Cristiano Ronaldo one goal closer to international record after Portugal thrash Andorra – in pictures

Portugal captain came off the bench for the second half in Lisbon to take his tally to 102 goals for his national team

The National

November 12, 2020

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Cristiano Ronaldo moved another goal closer to the all-time international record on Wednesday after scoring for Portugal in a 7-0 thrashing of Andorra.

Ronaldo, 33, came on a substitute during the friendly in Lisbon to net his 102nd goal for Portugal in the 85th minute.

Former Iran striker Ali Daei holds the record on 109 goals.

Portugal, who continue the preparations for their European Championship title defence next year with a Nations League game with France on Saturday, were expected to have a comfortable outing against Andorra and so it proved.

Wolves winger Pedro Neto, making his debut, gave Portgual an early lead, before a double from Paulinho, either side of a Renato Sanches strike, made it four. Emili Garcia scored an own goal with 14 minutes to play.

Ronaldo was introduced at half-time but had to wait until five minutes from the end to boost his record bid, before Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix wrapped up the scoring.

The 35-year-old Ronaldo tested positive for coronavirus on October 13 when last with the Portugal squad, going on to miss the 3-0 victory over Sweden.

Portugal