CR7 at it again, gets goal No. 901
Cristiano Ronaldo is showing just why Portugal are persisting with him at the age of 39. Make that a record-extending 132 international goals for the five-time world player of the year after Ronaldo came on as a halftime substitute and slotted home an 88th-minute winner for Portugal in their 2-1 victory over Scotland in the Nations League.
Minutes earlier, Ronaldo had struck both posts within a matter of seconds. Indeed, he was an ever-present danger in Lisbon, demonstrating he is far from finished as a force in international football — especially against the likes of a struggling Scotland.
On Thursday, Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal — spanning games for club and country — in a 2-1 win over Croatia. The quest for 1,000 began three days later and he didn’t disappoint, despite only playing one half.
Luka Modric turned 39 on Monday but, like Ronaldo, remains as integral as ever for his country. The Real Madrid midfielder again demonstrated his enduring quality by clipping home an exquisite free kick from the edge of the box in Croatia’s 1-0 win over Poland.
It was Modric’s 27th goal in 180 appearances for his country, which left him tied with former Spain defender Sergio Ramos as the second highest-capped European players in men’s international football — only behind Ronaldo with 214.
100 for Kane
England captain Harry Kane will earn his 100th cap for his country when they host Finland in the Nations League at Wembley on Tuesday, becoming the 10th player to reach the mark. The 31-year-old, who has scored 66 goals in 99 appearances for England since his debut in 2015, is the first player to become an England men’s centurion since striker Wayne Rooney in November 2014.
