Ronaldo scores twice, Portugal extends winning streak in World Cup qualifiers

CR7 made a great contribution to help Portugal defeat Latvia with a score of 3-0, in the sixth match of the European qualifying round.

Goals: Ronaldo 41', 63', Andre Silva 67'

Ronaldo himself equalized for Portugal with a precise header from within the 5.5m box in the 41st minute. Right before the star wearing the number 7 shirt scored his first goal, teammate Jose Fonte made another header that bounced off the post.

Ronaldo completed his double just 18 minutes into the second half. The goal came from a header inside the six-yard box, and was only slightly different from the opening goal in terms of where it started: from an Andre Silva cross.

Ronaldo continued to perform at a high level when he returned to the national team. Photo: Reuters

As if in perfect fashion, Ronaldo was the one who created the final goal of the match. CR7 exploited Latvia's defensive mistake in the 67th minute by passing to Andre Silva who ran up and shot past goalkeeper Andris Vanins.

If Vanins had not been excellent in the early stages of the match, Portugal could have scored earlier. The 37-year-old goalkeeper made at least two saves from Ronaldo's shots.

Meanwhile, Latvia failed to put much pressure on the reigning Euro champions. The team, ranked 122nd in the FIFA rankings, had to wait until the 60th minute for their first notable shot, when Olegs Laizans took a direct free kick that forced goalkeeper Rui Patricio to dive and block.

Andre Silva sealed the win from Ronaldo's pass.

For Portugal, the win over Latvia was their fifth consecutive win in Group B of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Europe. Portugal are currently second in the group with 15 points, just three points behind Switzerland. The reigning Euro champions' only defeat in their first six matches was a 0-2 loss to Switzerland on September 7, 2016 (Ronaldo did not play due to injury).

Portugal and Switzerland will meet again in the return leg on the final day of the qualifiers. If they win, Ronaldo and his teammates can take the lead in Group B thanks to better goal difference. Each European qualifying group only has one direct ticket to the World Cup for the top team, while the second-placed team will have to play a play-off to win a place.

With a double against Latvia, Ronaldo has 53 goals in 51 matches in all competitions in the 2016-2017 season. This is a solid foundation for CR7 to move towards the fifth Golden Ball award in his career.

According to VNE