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Euro 2024: the qualifying calendar
Euro 2024: dates, place, draw
Cristiano Ronaldo double goalscorer for his record
He made his return to Europe on Thursday and, despite a few misfires, he scored to celebrate a new record.
During the match against Liechtenstein won 4-0 by Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the historic record for the number of international selections by playing his 197th international meeting.
Despite a discreet match and a big missed opportunity (24'), he was able to convert a penalty obtained by Cancelo to celebrate this record with a goal, his 119th in the selection before registering the 120th, a few minutes later, with a super powerful strike on free kick.
Rade Krunic as a good surface fox
Author of a double in the first half during the victory of Bosnia and Herzegovina over Iceland (3-0), the AC Milan player was able to make the difference by being ultra-realistic in the area.
Twice, he took advantage of a strike repelled by the Icelandic defense of his partner in attack Smail Prevljak.
A few meters from goal, he was able to use his sense of placement to be in the right place at the right time and give victory to his team.
Rasmus Hojlund's decisive hat-trick
He did better than Ronaldo and Krunic with a hat-trick.
In a match not so simple as expected for Denmark against Finland (3-1 victory), it was Rasmus Hojlund, the Atalanta striker, who allowed his team to win.
Like an Erling Haaland, he was present in the right areas to be able to score his three goals by cutting a strong cross on the first, winning with a header on the second before finishing with a strike strong at point-blank range to close his match.
FLOPS
The Icelandic defense too fragile
It seems a long time ago for the excellent defense presented by Iceland during their historic Euro 2016. This Thursday, against modest Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Northerners conceded a total of 13 strikes including 7 on target and above all showed too light in defense.
The first two goals conceded came from a mess and a ball mishandled by the Icelandic defenders, some of whom seemed not concerned enough.
A defensive passivity which poses a problem when the offensive sector is not successful either with only 3 attempted strikes (1 on target).
Benjamin Buchel's hand fault
If Portugal largely dominated their meeting against Liechtenstein, they were well helped by the opposing goalkeeper.
On the strike from Joao Cancelo which brought the goal, Benjamin Buchel seemed well placed and able to seize the ball quietly.
But it was without counting on a misplaced hand which sent the ball into its own goal.
An unforgivable mistake.
