Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal reach Euro 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal qualified for their eighth successive European Championship with a 3-2 win at home to Slovakia on Friday.

Portugal have won all their matches in Group J, after Goncalo Ramos's opening goal was followed by Ronaldo's brace in Porto.

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"The best way to prepare for European Championship is to try to win games," Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. "Now we have a list of 23 for the European Championship and that creates a competitive and very healthy environment.

"For us that's what it's about, it's giving the players the opportunity to show that they can be on the list for the European Championship. Individually our team has superlative talent. For a coach it's a difficult task to use all that talent, but I think in the last seven games we managed to demonstrate all this attitude. it is a step-by-step process and I believe we are on a good path."

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Ronaldo's opening goal came from the penalty spot in the 29th minute, making it 13 straight successful penalty conversions for club and country. The Al Nassr forward's second goal in the 72nd minute took his international tally to a world-record extending 125 in 202 appearances.

It also made him the sixth man in history to score 100 goals in 3 different decades, joining Lionel Messi, Romário, Pelé, Ferenc Puskás and Alfredo Di Stéfano.

"The objective has been achieved, the first half was extraordinary and in the second we could have scored more goals," Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes said. "Being in the European finals is the fulfilment of another dream."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.