World Cup qualifiers: Ronaldo scores, Belgium and Dutch earn huge routs

Belgium and the Netherlands scored 15 targets mixed in huge routs in World Cup qualifying, whereas Portugal bought one from Cristiano Ronaldo in its victory in opposition to a Luxembourg workforce that tinkered with one other shock consequence.
Belgium crushed Belarus 8-0 to remain on the prime in Group E, whereas the Dutch trashed Gibraltar 7-0 to go second behind Turkey in Group G on Tuesday.
Minnow Luxembourg, which opened with a shocking win in opposition to Ireland, seemed on its option to pulling off one other upset after it took the lead in opposition to Portugal, however the guests got here from behind to remain on the prime of Group A together with Serbia, which earlier defeated Azerbaijan with one other double by Fulham ahead Aleksandar Mitrovic.
“It was a difficult first half,” Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches stated.
“Luxembourg started well, but I think we controlled the game. They had a set piece and scored, but I think that from that point on we controlled the game.”
RONALDO SCORES AGAIN
After being held scoreless within the first two qualifiers this 12 months, Ronaldo scored his thirty first aim in World Cup qualifying early within the second half in Portugal’s victory at Luxembourg.
He has now scored for Portugal in each calendar 12 months since his first worldwide aim in 2004, and moved six away from tying the all-time scoring document for a males’s nationwide workforce. The document of 109 targets is held by former Iran striker Ali Daei, the one different male soccer participant to surpass the 100-goal milestone.
Gerson Rodrigues had put the hosts forward within the thirtieth minute however Diogo Jota equalized for Portugal within the second minute of stoppage time earlier than Ronaldo and Joao Palhinha added second-half targets.
Portugal was coming off a 2-2 draw in opposition to Serbia. Both groups are tied with seven factors every from three matches.Ireland, the opposite Group A workforce, performed a pleasant in opposition to World Cup host Qatar and was held to a 1-1 draw, staying winless in 11 video games beneath coach Stephen Kenny.
BELGIUM CRUISES
Hans Vanaken and Leandro Trossard each scored a pair of targets as Belgium trounced Belarus with 4 targets in every half.
“I’m delighted with what I’ve seen from every player,” Belgium coach Roberto Martinez stated.
“I’ve seen players taking decisive roles, I was very pleased with the performance of the young guys and how this group works together.”
The residence victory left Belgium three factors forward of the Czech Republic, which misplaced 1-0 at Wales because of a late Daniel James aim after an help by Gareth Bale.
Wales and Belarus are some extent behind the Czech Republic with a recreation in hand.
DUTCH ROUT
Gibraltar, ranked 195th on the earth, saved the Netherlands largely at bay earlier than the break however collapsed within the second half on the synthetic turf of Victoria Stadium.
The guests added to their 1-0 halftime lead with 4 targets by the sixty fourth, then bought two extra nearer to the tip.Memphis Depay had a double for the Dutch, which trails Turkey by some extent after three matches.
“The goals came later than we had hoped, but at least they came,” Depay stated “We remained positive, and things came good in the end. The team spirit is great, and we have belief in ourselves.”
Turkey missed an opportunity to earn its third straight win after squandering a 2-0 lead in a 3-3 draw with Latvia.
MITROVIC THRIVING
Mitrovic continued his scorching streak by scoring a double in Serbia’s win at Azerbaijan.
He has scored 5 targets within the first three qualifiers. He additionally had a double within the opening 3-2 win in opposition to Ireland, and located the web as soon as within the 2-2 draw in opposition to Portugal.
Mitrovic opened the scoring within the sixteenth and netted the winner within the 81st after Azerbaijan had scored within the 59th.
RUSSIA LOSES
Like Turkey, Russia additionally missed an opportunity to win three straight to begin its qualifying marketing campaign, dropping 2-1 to Slovakia.The consequence left the Russians tied on the prime of Group H with Croatia, which bought its second victory by beating Malta 3-0.
Cyprus earlier defeated Slovenia 1-0 for its first win within the group. It was the fifth consecutive away loss for Slovenia in World Cup qualifying.
Slovakia’s Milan Skriniar, prime, heads the ball to attain through the World Cup 2022 group H qualifying match between Slovakia and Russia in Trnava, Slovakia, Tuesday, March 30, 2021. (Martin Baumann/TASR through AP)
CROATIA WIN AGAIN
Croatia bought its second win, however it was laborious work. It took till the 62nd minute for the 2018 World Cup runners-up to take the lead in opposition to Malta. Two substitutes mixed for the aim as Ivan Perisic scored off a cross from Borna Barisic, shortly after that they had each come on.
Luka Modric prolonged the lead from the penalty spot and striker Josip Brekalo added a 3rd late on. All six of Croatia’s factors have come in opposition to the 2 lowest-ranked groups within the group following a 1-0 win over Cyprus on Saturday.
SINKING SLOVENIA
Slovenia’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup seemed vibrant after beating Croatia final week however now are fading quick after a shock 1-0 loss to Cyprus on Tuesday.
Cyprus scored in opposition to the run of play within the forty second minute when Ioannis Pittas collected the ball on the sting of the penalty space after a throw-in and beat a defender earlier than capturing low previous goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Cyprus defended deep and held on for less than its second win in 14 video games.
Slovenia began its marketing campaign with an upset win over 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia final week however then misplaced 2-1 to Russia. It had been attempting to regain momentum in opposition to Cyprus.
Coach Matjaz Kek led Slovenia to the World Cup for the primary and solely time in 2010 and returned to the workforce in 2018. He has overseen a resurgence together with promotion to the second tier of the Nations League final 12 months.
Japan routs Mongolia 14-0 in Asian qualifying for World Cup
Japan stayed good in World Cup qualifying by routing Mongolia 14-0, its fifth win of the second stage coming 16 months after the fourth.
The Japanese scored 5 targets within the first half, added 9 extra within the second and now lead Group F with 15 factors. A victory over Myanmar on June 3 will safe first place within the group and a spot within the third spherical of Asian qualifying.
The eight group winners and 4 finest second-place groups will advance to the following stage, which is scheduled to begin in September. Takumi Minamino, Yuya Osako, Daichi Kamada and Hidemasa Morita all scored within the first half, together with an own-goal from Mongolia defender Khash-Erdene Tuyaa.