Cristiano Ronaldo marked what could be his final international appearance on Portuguese soil with a second-half brace, leading Portugal to a convincing 3-0 victory over Ireland in a Euro 2024 warm-up match on Tuesday. June 11.
The 38-year-old superstar, who has hinted at retirement from international football after the Euro Championship, came on as a substitute in the second half and stole the show. With Portugal already ahead thanks to an earlier goal, Ronaldo’s clinical finishing secured a comfortable win for the home side.
Dominant Display from Portugal for Euro 2024 Warm-Up
Portugal controlled the game from the outset, with Bernardo Silva pulling the strings in midfield. The Portuguese created several chances in the first half but were unable to find the breakthrough. The deadlock was finally broken shortly after the break, with Joao Felix scoring the first goal, after Ireland were caught sleeping at a corner. Ireland made five substitutions at half-time, but it only made the gap between them and Portugal even bigger, even though three of the new players were defenders.
Cristiano Ronaldo Takes Center Stage
The introduction of Ronaldo in the second half further energized the Portuguese attack. The legendary forward didn’t disappoint, displaying his trademark poacher’s instinct to score twice in quick succession. Ronaldo scored a fantastic second goal, rocketing the ball into the top corner of the net. Ten minutes later, he made it 3-0 by following up on a great chance created by Diogo Jota’s skill and vision.
Emotional Farewell for Ronaldo?
The win was overshadowed by the potential significance of Ronaldo’s performance. After the final whistle, an emotional Ronaldo received a standing ovation from the home crowd, hinting at a possible international farewell. While he hasn’t explicitly confirmed his retirement, his comments after the match suggested this might be his last time playing in Portugal for the national team.
Portugal Heads into Euros with Momentum
Portugal will be hoping to carry this momentum into the upcoming Euro 2024. With a squad brimming with talent and a potentially resurgent Ronaldo, they will be considered one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
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