Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 40th goal of 2023. The goal was scored in Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night. This goal made him the leading scorer in world football for the calendar year of 2023. At the Bilino Polje stadium, the Portuguese superstar scored twice as Roberto Martinez’s team easily won their European Championship qualifying match.
Goals with Portugal make Cristiano Ronaldo top-scorer in 2023
Portugal, which had defeated Slovakia at the weekend to earn a spot in the tournament in Germany for the next year, didn’t let up against the Balkans hosts. After a handball penalty was awarded, Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, netted the first of his brace from the spot, making no mistakes from 12 yards out.
In the 20th minute, after being set up by Barcelona striker Joao Felix, he added his second goal of the game by chipping the approaching goalie. Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal doubled Portugal’s lead on the road after it was initially disallowed for offside. A VAR review later proved Ronaldo was in fact onside.
Cristiano Ronaldo reached 40 goals for the season after his heroics for the national team. Most of his strikes come for his Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
But not everyone in the stadium appeared to be impressed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s accomplishment. One fan leaped over an advertisement board to approach Ronaldo as he was getting ready to take a throw-in. Security swiftly stepped in, but the video captured Ronaldo looking uncomfortable before the play continued. As Bosnia’s defense broke down, Portugal went on to score three additional goals in the opening period.
Ronaldo aging like fine wine
Cristiano Ronaldo passed Haaland with his two goals against Bosnia, his 39th and 40th goals of the year. On Sunday, the Manchester City forward struggled throughout Norway’s 1-0 home loss to Spain.
As he has throughout his career, Ronaldo, who is getting close to 40, is still king of the scoring lists. In the ongoing Euro 2024 qualifying matches, he has scored nine goals in seven games for Roberto Martinez’s team and 31 goals in 35 games for Al-Nassr.
Additionally, Ronaldo scored twice against Slovakia to help his nation win 3-2 and secure a spot in the German finals the following year.
Sourece:insidesport.in
