Cristiano Ronaldo became Europe’s all-time leading scorer in international football as he registered in Portugal’s 1-0 win over Morocco at the 2018 World Cup on Wednesday.
Ronaldo’s fourth-minute goal moved him past the legendary Ferenc Puskas onto 85, and now only Iran’s Ali Daei has scored more international goals (109) than the Real Madrid forward.
The victory has moved Portugal onto four points in Group B, while Morocco have been eliminated from the competition due to their second defeat in Russia.
Portugal made the breakthrough in the fifth minute, however, when Ronaldo headed a Joao Moutinho cross into the back of the net from close range to score his fourth goal of the tournament thus far.
Ronaldo had another half-chance in the ninth minute following good work from Portugal left-back Raphael Guerreiro, but the Real Madrid forward dragged his attempt wide of the post.
Morocco had an opportunity of their own in the 12th minute when Medhi Benatia met a corner from the right, but Patricio was on hand to make a smart save.
Hakim Ziyech also tested the Portugal goalkeeper from distance in the 22nd minute, and Morocco were the team on the front foot as they attempted to level the scores.
Ronaldo fired high and wide of the Morocco crossbar early in the second half, before Belhanda tested the reactions of Patricio down the other end as the match gathered pace once again.
Belhanda came even closer just before the hour when he headed towards the bottom corner, only for Patricio to pull off an outstanding save to keep Portugal ahead.
Ronaldo had a shout for a penalty in the latter stages when he went down under a challenge from Amrabat, but the referee was not interested. It mattered little in terms of the result, however, as Portugal closed out the final stages to pick up a win.
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