Football

Cristiano Ronaldo's brace propelled Portugal to a resounding 5-1 victory over Poland in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, securing their place in the quarter-finals.Portugal dominated the second half, scoring four goals in the final 20 minutes. Rafael Leao opened the scoring with a powerful header, followed by a penalty from Ronaldo. Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto added to the tally, while Ronaldo completed his brace with an acrobatic volley.Poland had the better chances in the first half but failed to capitalize. Dominik Marczuk's brilliant save denied Ronaldo from close range, and the hosts made them pay dearly.Roberto Martinez's Portugal wrapped up the top spot in Group A1 with a game to spare, joining France, Germany, and Italy in the last eight. Poland, meanwhile, were relegated and will face a relegation playoff if they lose to Scotland next week.In the other Group A1 match, Scotland boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a late winner from John McGinn. Croatia, who needed a point to qualify with Portugal, were left disappointed as McGinn struck in the 86th minute.Meanwhile, European champions Spain remained unbeaten in Group A4 with a 2-1 win over Denmark in Copenhagen. Ayoze Perez and Mikel Oyarzabal scored for Spain, while Gustav Isaksen pulled one back for Denmark.In Group C2, Romania's match against Kosovo was abandoned in injury time due to chants of "Serbia" from the home fans. The game was goalless at the time of abandonment.In League D, San Marino kept their hopes of promotion alive with a 1-1 draw against Gibraltar thanks to Nicola Nanni's injury-time penalty.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, two of the Premier League's most storied clubs, will clash at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 29, in a highly anticipated match. Both teams have had mixed starts to the season, with United sitting in 11th place with 7 points and Tottenham in 10th with the same number of points.United's recent form has been inconsistent, with a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the Europa League followed by a 2-1 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol. Tottenham, on the other hand, have shown more promise, winning their Europa League opener 3-0 against Qarabag FK.The match will be a test of both teams' attacking prowess. United have struggled to find the back of the net consistently, with only 6 goals in their first 5 Premier League matches. Tottenham, meanwhile, have been more prolific, scoring 9 goals in the same period.Key players to watch in this match include Cristiano Ronaldo for United and Harry Kane for Tottenham. Ronaldo has scored 3 goals in the Premier League this season, while Kane has netted 4. Both players will be looking to add to their tallies and lead their teams to victory.The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams desperate for a win to improve their league standings. United will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing draw in the Europa League, while Tottenham will be aiming to continue their winning ways.

Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from Al Nassr's Asian Champions League opener against Al Shorta in Iraq has cast a shadow over the tournament's launch. The Portuguese superstar, who joined the Saudi Arabian club in January, was diagnosed with a viral infection on Sunday and will miss the match.Ronaldo's absence is a significant blow to Al Nassr's hopes of winning the Asian Champions League, a trophy that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career. The 39-year-old forward has been in impressive form since joining the Saudi Pro League, scoring five goals in four appearances.Al Nassr will be hoping to bounce back from Ronaldo's absence and make a strong start to their Champions League campaign. The Saudi Arabian club has invested heavily in recent years, bringing in high-profile players such as Ronaldo and Brazilian winger Talisca.The Asian Champions League has undergone a major revamp this year, with the introduction of a new format that splits the 24 teams into two groups of East and West. Each team will play eight different opponents in the group stage, with the top eight teams from each zone advancing to the last 16.The final stages of the tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia from April 25 to May 4, with the winners taking home at least $12 million. Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Neymar's Al Hilal are among the favorites to win the tournament.Despite Ronaldo's absence, Al Hilal remains a formidable force. The Saudi Arabian champions have signed Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo from Manchester City and boast a star-studded squad that includes Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte, and Marcelo Brozovic.The defending champions, Al Ain, will also be looking to make a strong title defense. The United Arab Emirates club, coached by Argentina great Hernan Crespo, defeated Japan's Yokohama F-Marinos in last year's final.In the East zone, clubs from Japan have been the most successful in recent years. Yokohama F-Marinos, Kawasaki Frontale, and Vissel Kobe will all be hoping to challenge for the title. South Korea's Pohang Steelers and Ulsan are also among the contenders.The Asian Champions League is set to provide plenty of excitement and drama, with some of the world's best players on display. Despite Ronaldo's absence, the tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese footballer, has achieved an unprecedented milestone on social media, becoming the first individual to amass a staggering 1 billion followers across various platforms. This remarkable feat underscores Ronaldo's immense popularity and global reach, solidifying his status as one of the most influential figures in the world.Ronaldo's social media presence has skyrocketed in recent years, particularly with the launch of his Instagram channel. Within a week of its inception, his YouTube account surpassed 50 million followers, shattering multiple records. On Instagram, Ronaldo boasts an impressive 639 million followers, the largest chunk of his 1 billion followers. He also commands a significant following on Facebook (170.5 million) and X (113 million).To commemorate this historic achievement, Ronaldo shared an emotional message on social media, expressing his gratitude to his followers and acknowledging the shared passion and love for the game that unites them. He emphasized that this milestone is not merely a number but a testament to their collective journey and the unwavering support he has received throughout his career.Ronaldo's social media dominance extends beyond the major platforms. He also maintains a presence on smaller Chinese platforms such as Weibo and Kuaishou, further expanding his reach to a global audience.This unprecedented achievement is a testament to Ronaldo's enduring legacy as a football icon and his ability to connect with fans on a personal level. His social media presence has become a powerful platform for him to share his passion for the game, inspire others, and engage with his vast following.

Erik ten Hag has dismissed Cristiano Ronaldo's criticism of his ambition at Manchester United, stating that the Portuguese star is "far from Manchester." Ronaldo's second stint at United ended in a controversial departure in November 2022, following his scathing remarks about Ten Hag.In a recent interview, Ronaldo expressed his belief that United should be aiming to win major trophies, such as the Premier League and Champions League. He criticized Ten Hag's negative attitude, claiming that the club needs to "rebuild everything."Ten Hag, however, has maintained his confidence in United's ability to challenge for silverware. He has lifted the League Cup and FA Cup in his first two seasons at the helm, but acknowledges that the team is still in a "transition period.""We have to integrate a lot of young players also in the team," Ten Hag said. "We are still dealing with injuries, we have to bring the injuries back in the team."Despite United's disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season, Ten Hag insists that the team is focused on winning every game. "We have in every game the mindset that we have to win," he said.Ronaldo's comments came after United's humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool. However, Ten Hag dismissed the impact of the interview on his team. "It doesn't impact me," he said. "I know in the process where we are, what we have to do, where we are going."United will face Southampton on Saturday, looking to bounce back from their recent setbacks. Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund remain sidelined, but new signing Manuel Ugarte could make his debut.

The iconic No. 7 jersey in football has been adorned by some of the greatest players to grace the sport. From Cristiano Ronaldo to David Beckham, the number has become synonymous with attacking prowess and legendary status.Cristiano Ronaldo's association with the No. 7 shirt began in 2003 when he joined Manchester United. The Portuguese forward had initially been assigned the No. 28 shirt at Sporting Lisbon, but his impressive performance against United in a friendly match caught the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson.With David Beckham departing for Real Madrid, Ferguson bestowed the vacant No. 7 shirt upon Ronaldo, a testament to his belief in the young player's potential. Despite the pressure associated with wearing such an iconic number, Ronaldo embraced the challenge and made it his own."I was petrified," Ronaldo later admitted. "I knew Beckham wore that shirt. But I took on the challenge and since then it has been my lucky number."Ronaldo's success at Manchester United, where he won numerous trophies and established himself as one of the world's best players, cemented the No. 7 shirt's association with his name. He carried the same number to Real Madrid, Juventus, and back to Manchester United, further solidifying its iconic status.Even at his current club, Al-Nassr, Ronaldo wears the No. 7 shirt. The number has become inextricably linked to his legacy, symbolizing his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and global recognition.

Cristiano Ronaldo's remarkable career reached a new milestone as his late strike secured a thrilling 2-1 victory for Portugal over Scotland in their Nations League clash. The 39-year-old forward's 901st career goal capped a stirring comeback for the hosts at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.Ronaldo had already etched his name into the history books with his 900th goal in Thursday's win over Croatia. However, he showed no signs of slowing down, coming off the bench to inspire Portugal to their second consecutive victory in Group A1.The match started with a surprise as Scott McTominay gave Scotland an early lead with a well-timed header. But Portugal responded with renewed vigor in the second half, with Bruno Fernandes equalizing with a powerful shot from outside the box.Ronaldo's introduction proved to be a game-changer. His presence lifted the crowd and energized his teammates. In the 88th minute, Nuno Mendes delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Ronaldo was there to apply the finishing touch with a clinical tap-in.The victory was particularly sweet for Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, who has family ties to Scotland. Martinez joked before the match that he would be delighted to upset his father-in-law by beating Scotland, and he did just that.For Scotland, the defeat extended their winless streak to 14 matches. They have now lost six of their nine matches in 2023, with their only victory coming in a friendly against Gibraltar.Despite the disappointing result, Scotland manager Steve Clarke praised his players for their performance. "I'm really disappointed for my players because I think they deserved to get something from the game," he said. "But with the amount of balls that go into the box, you know one of them can go in the back of the net and that's what happened to us."

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese forward, has reached the remarkable milestone of 900 career goals. After scoring the winning goal in Portugal's 2-1 victory over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League, Ronaldo expressed his unwavering belief in his own superiority.Despite not having won the FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo maintains that Portugal's triumph in the UEFA Euro is on par with the global quadrennial event. "Portugal winning the Euros is the equivalent of winning the World Cup," he declared. "I've already won two trophies for Portugal that I really wanted, so I'm not motivated by that [World Cup]."Ronaldo's sentiments echo those of Kylian Mbappe, who recently joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain. "For me, [the Euros are] more complicated than a World Cup," Mbappe said. "Even though there's more pressure at the World Cup, we know all the teams in the Euros, and it's tactically similar."Ronaldo's comments have sparked a debate among football fans, with some arguing that the World Cup is the ultimate test of a player's ability. Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has stated that "the Euros are important, but he [Mbappe] leaves out Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay -- all World Cup winners. In the World Cup, you have the best teams in the world. That's why everyone dreams of being world champion."Ronaldo's goal-scoring prowess is undeniable. He has scored 137 goals for Portugal and has represented Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr, scoring a total of 900 goals in his illustrious career.Ronaldo's achievements have cemented his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His unwavering belief in his own abilities and his relentless pursuit of excellence continue to inspire fans around the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo's unwavering commitment to the Portugal national team remains steadfast despite his underwhelming performance at Euro 2024. The 39-year-old legend has been included in the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Scotland, signaling the continued faith of coach Roberto Martinez.Ronaldo's inclusion comes after a disappointing Euro campaign where he failed to find the back of the net. However, his recent form for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he has scored four goals in four games, has bolstered his case for a starting role.With Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos sidelined by an ankle injury, Ronaldo is expected to lead the Portugal attack. The veteran forward has expressed his determination to continue representing his country, stating, "When I quit the national team, I won't tell anyone in advance... At the moment what I want is to be able to help the Selecao."Martinez is also looking to the future with the inclusion of 17-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda. The young talent joins Chelsea left-back Renato Veiga and Lille defender Tiago Santos as new faces in the squad.The squad also features experienced players such as Ruben Dias, Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva. Martinez will be hoping that the blend of youth and experience can guide Portugal to success in the upcoming Nations League matches.