Ronaldo takes Portugal tally to 70 in Hungary stroll

Monday, 27 March 2017 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal in the World Cup 2018 Qualifiers European Zone - Group B match against Hungary at Luz Stadium, Lisbon, Portugal - Reuters

Reuters: Cristiano Ronaldo scored two stunning goals and took his international tally to 70 as he led Portugal to an emphatic 3-0 win over Hungary in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

The Portugal captain scored from 25 metres after he was set up by an outrageous backheel from Andre Silva and smashed in a long-range free kick in the second half. Silva had opened the scoring from a move in which Ronaldo also played a part.

The win kept the European champions three points behind Group B leaders Switzerland who earlier beat Latvia 1-0 to maintain their 100% record with 15 points from five games.

Defeat left Hungary a distant third with seven points and only the slimmest of chances of their first World Cup appearance since 1986.

Portugal were nearly knocked out of Euro 2016 at the group stage by Hungary, having to come back three times to force a 3-3 draw.

Repeatedly criticised during Euro 2016 for his record from free kicks, Ronaldo made no mistake this time as he scored with a vicious effort which dipped over the wall and bounced in front of Gulasci.

It was his 70th goal for Portugal in 138 appearances.

The group looks increasingly likely to boil down to Portugal’s match at home to Switzerland in October.

Only the winners of the nine European groups go straight to Russia next year while the eight best runners-up go into a playoff round for four more places.