World Cup Qualifiers: Ronaldo scores twice in Portugal’s 4-1 win over Latvia

Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo scores twice in Portugal’s 4-1 win over Latvia | Image: Twitter

Internet Desk: Cristiano Ronaldo was back amongst goals as the Portugese superstar powered in two goals to help his country to a 4-1 win over Latvia in World Cup qualifying match in Group B on Sunday. In another match Belgium thrashed Estonia 8-1 to go on top of Group H.

Ronaldo was the star for Portugal on Sunday night as he scored a brace against Latvia in Lisbon. The Real Madrid superstar missed a hat-trick as he failed to convert from a spot-kick as the European champions survived a scare to remain three points adrift of Group B leaders Switzerland.

Ronaldo converted a first-half spot kick to open the scores but then missed a second one which hit the post.

Within a minute Latvia were level as substitute Arturs Zjuzins pounced on the loose ball following a goalmouth scramble to fire home on 67 minutes.

But headers from Willian and Bruno Alves and a spectacular scissor-kick from Ronaldo assured Portugal of the three points.

In another match Manchester United star Memphis Depay scored twice to hand Netherlands a 3-1 win over Luxembourg. Both the teams were locked at 1-1 before super sub Depay rescued his team from the blushes.

The 3-1 victory over Luxembourg keeps the misfiring Dutch in the hunt for a place at Russia 2018, but they will need to play better if they are to trump the twin threats of table-toppers France and Sweden in Group A.

Arjen Robben gave Dutch the lead in the 36th minute when he beat the home team stopper to shot home with his favourite left foot. The home side got an equalizer immediately after Joshua Brenet felled Daniel da Mota in the box and Maxime Chanot punished the visitors from the penalty spot.

Robben, whose brilliant career has been blighted by injury, failed to make it out for the second half. Wesley Sneijder was also hooked at the break.

It was Depay, one of the replacements, who struck soon afterwards to break home hearts.

And the 22-year-old, strongly linked with a move away from Old Trafford to Everton, sealed the match with his second goal in the final minutes.

Belgium ran rampant in a Group H clash against Estonia as they powered in 8 goals.

There were braces from Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens with further goals from Thomas Meunier, Eden Hazard, Yannick Carrasco and an own goal to make it four wins from four.

In the same group Greece scored a 95th-minute equaliser through Giorgos Tzavellas after a free-kick had given Bosnia the lead as the ball rebounded back off the post and in off goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis.

The point for Greece means they have 10 from four games in Group H, two behind the Belgians.