Cristiano Ronaldo’s 700th goal was not enough on a Monday night to secure Portugal a spot in the Euro 2020 finals as they were beaten 2-1 in Kiev by Ukraine with heavy work to do if they are to qualify.
The hosts needed just one point in Monday’s qualifier to ensure a top-two finish in Group B, but they picked up all three as they dealt the reigning European champions a first loss in 14 matches.
Read also: Luka Modric A Doubt For Real Mallorca Clash After Limping Off Wales Tie
First-half strikes from Roman Yaremchuk and Andriy Yarmolenko earned victory for Andriy Shevchenko’s side, who held on with 10 men after Taras Stepanenko was shown a second yellow card for handling the ball inside the box.
Ronaldo’s 700th goal resulted from a penalty 72 minutes in to bring up his personal landmark, but Portugal could not find a leveller and may now need victories over Lithuania and Luxembourg in their final two matches to hold off third-placed Serbia.
The group’s top two entered the match in fine form but it was Ukraine who settled the better, opening up a two-goal lead inside 27 minutes.
Yaremchuk converted from close range after Rui Patricio parried Sergey Krivtsov’s header six minutes in and Yarmolenko added a second before the half-hour mark, the West Ham midfielder getting between two defenders to convert Vitalii Mykolenko’s cross.
Read also: Sanchez Will Be On The Sideline For 2 Or 3 Months – Rueda Confirms
Santos brought on Joao Felix at half-time and Portugal looked brighter after the break, with Ronaldo forcing Andriy Pyatov into a couple of fine saves inside seven minutes of the restart.
After Stepanenko was adjudicated for handling the ball, Ronaldo pulled one back from the spot and the visitors almost stole a point at the end of Danilo Pereira’s shot bouncing back off the crossbar in additional time.
Ukraine can look forward to another major tournament next year after securing a place in the finals with a game – away to Serbia – to spare.
As for Portugal, they are one point better off than third-place Serbia – 2-1 winners in Lithuania on Monday – and will likely have to win their remaining two fixtures if they are to automatically qualify.
It seemed to be a day of disappointment for Ronaldo, having been stopped by a few good saves from Pyatov early in the second half.
His big moment arrived 18 minutes from time, though, as he successfully converted the penalty to make it 700 goals in what has been an incredible career.
Read also: Klopp’s Ghastly Actions Is Not For Exhibition – Milner
Portugal boss Fernando Santos surprisingly named teenage forward Joao Felix on the bench and Portugal lacked any real attacking quality before his introduction at half-time.
Goncalo Guedes was the fall guy, being taken off after a disappointing 45 minutes that saw him touch the ball just 32 times.
Up next, Ukraine will take on Estonia in a friendly a month today and conclude their qualifying campaign with a trip to Serbia three days later. Portugal host Lithuania and travel to Luxembourg in their final two qualifying matches.
The post Ukraine 2-1 Portugal: Ronaldo’s 700th goal not enough to book Euro 2020 spot appeared first on Nigerian Newspapers, Nigeria News | YAWANEWS.NG.