Ronaldo scores four goals, Portugal wins big in World Cup qualifiers

CR7 shone as he and Portugal defeated Andorra 6-0 in the second match of the European World Cup qualifiers.

Ronaldo added four goals to his personal record. Photo: Reuters

Goals: Ronaldo 2', 4', 47', 68', Cancelo 44', Andre Silva 86'

Facing an opponent ranked 203rd on the FIFA rankings, Portugal easily created an overwhelming game. Ronaldo only needed 70 seconds to score the first goal, before doubling the gap in the fourth minute. In the second half, the star wearing the number 7 shirt scored two more goals, thereby helping the home team win 6-0. Defender Joao Cancelo and midfielder Andre Silva were also on the list of goalscorers.

Thanks to the victory over Andorra, Portugal got their first points in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. In the first match, when Ronaldo was absent due to injury, the reigning Euro champions had an unsuccessful debut with a 0-2 defeat on the field of Switzerland.

Returning to his national team rescue mission, Ronaldo did not disappoint his fans. In the second minute of the match, after a careless catch by the opposing goalkeeper Josep Gomes, CR7 volleyed home the opening goal. The audience only had to wait two more minutes to see the second goal, also by Ronaldo with a header after a cross from Quaresma. If he had not missed another header in the 15th minute, the Portuguese captain could have scored a hat-trick.

Playing against the reigning Euro champions, even ball control was a challenge for Andorra. Throughout the match, the most active players on the visitors' side were almost exclusively the defense and goalkeeper Josep Gomes.

Andorra were lucky to keep the 0-2 deficit until the end of the first half. Goalkeeper Josep Gomes made a successful save from Jose Fonte, while the goalpost blocked two other shots from Ronaldo and Andre Gomes. It wasn't until the 44th minute that Portugal got their third goal thanks to a beautiful shot from Cancelo.

After the break, Ronaldo continued to be the most outstanding player on the pitch. The winger completed his hat-trick in the 47th minute, before scoring a poker in the 68th minute. This was also the first time Ronaldo scored four goals for the national team.

CR7 was even the reason why Andorra could not finish the match with all 11 players on the field. From fouls on the home team's captain, Rubio and Rebes both received red cards.

Portugal stand up after losing to Switzerland.

At the end of the match, after twice wasting chances, midfielder Andre Silva scored the winning goal to win 6-0. The player received the ball after Quaresma's unsuccessful free kick, before finishing into the Andorra net.

In the middle of next week, also in the World Cup qualifiers, Portugal can play another easy match when they visit the Faroe Islands. Currently, the Faroe Islands team is ranked 111th in the FIFA rankings, 104 places below Portugal.

According to VNE