Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal cruised to a 6-0 victory away to Luxembourg in their Euro 2024 qualifying match.
Ronaldo scored his first goal in the ninth minute of the match when Nuno Mendes headed a cross back to the far post, and the Al Nassr striker easily tapped it in.
In just the first 18 minutes, Bernardo Silva and Joao Felix also scored goals for Portugal, making it 3-0. Ronaldo scored his second goal in the 31st minute of the match when he was played through on goal by Bruno Fernandes and placed a left-foot shot low to the right of goalkeeper Anthony Moris.
The victory marks the second win for Portugal in their qualifying campaign under the new head coach Roberto Martinez. The team now sits at the top of Group J, two points ahead of Slovakia, who are in second place after their win against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In the second half of the match, substitutes Otavio and Rafael Leao added to Portugal’s lead, with Leao’s goal coming in the 90th minute of the match. Although Leao had a chance to score his second goal of the match with a penalty kick, Moris saved it. However, Leao quickly made up for the missed opportunity by scoring a goal shortly after.
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Portugal has had a strong start to their qualifying campaign, with two convincing victories over Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. In both matches, they have shown their attacking prowess, scoring a total of 10 goals while only conceding one.
Their win over Luxembourg was particularly impressive as they dominated the match from start to finish, demonstrating their superiority over their opponents.
While the victory is certainly a positive result for Portugal, they will face tougher opposition as the qualifying campaign progresses.
They are set to face Azerbaijan and Serbia in their next two matches, and both teams will provide a more challenging test for the Portuguese side. Nevertheless, with the likes of Ronaldo, Silva, and Felix leading the attack, Portugal will be confident of securing a place in the Euro 2024 tournament.
Overall, Portugal’s 6-0 victory over Luxembourg in their Euro 2024 qualifying match was a dominating performance from start to finish.
Ronaldo was particularly impressive, scoring two goals and demonstrating his continued importance to the Portuguese side. With two wins from two matches, Portugal is well on their way to securing a place in the Euro 2024 tournament, but tougher challenges lie ahead.
Super Eagles seal AFCON 2025 spot, draw 1-1 against Benin
Victor Osimhen’s late header helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan, clinching their qualification for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Benin, playing their matches in Côte d’Ivoire, took an early lead in the 16th minute when Mohammed Tijani headed in a short corner.
The goal followed a period of sustained pressure from the Beninoise side on the Nigerian defence.
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Benin nearly doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save to keep Nigeria in the game.
Osimhen threatened as the first half progressed, with a powerful header that narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Benin came close again, but a shot veered inches wide of the right post, sparing the Eagles further trouble.
With nine minutes remaining, Osimhen rose to the occasion, connecting with a precise cross from Moses Simon to level the score at 1-1.
With this result, the Super Eagles top Group D with 11 points from five matches, while Benin hold second place with seven points.
BREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali.
This result leaves Rwanda with five points from five matches, rendering them unable to surpass Nigeria in the standings, even if they win their upcoming match against the Super Eagles in Uyo.
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Currently, Nigeria leads Group D with 10 points, followed by Benin with six points, Rwanda with five, and Libya at the bottom with four points.
Benin remains in contention for the second qualification spot and will face Nigeria in a crucial match tonight.
Libya is set to host Benin in the final Group D game on Monday.
Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
Nearly 40 years after making his professional debut, and 19 years after being battered into retirement, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson will climb back into the ring on Friday for a Netflix-backed bout that has drawn widespread condemnation across the boxing world.
Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division during an imperious reign in the late 1980s, is lacing up the gloves once more to take on Youtuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
The fight, which will be comprised of eight two-minute rounds, was initially due to take place in July but was postponed in May after Tyson required medical treatment on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles after vomiting blood due to a bleeding ulcer.
That gory mid-air emergency has provided another piece of ammunition for the numerous critics who have condemned Friday’s contest as a macabre circus act that poses an unacceptable level of risk for Tyson, who last graced a professional ring in 2005, when he was beaten via a technical knockout after quitting on his stool against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.
“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” the prominent British fight promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.
“If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”
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Hearn’s rival promoter Frank Warren echoed those sentiments.
“Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said after the bout was announced. “It’s as simple as that.
“Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous. You can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is is people who have stopped to look at a crash — and that’s what this is.”
Tyson, who US reports say is being paid around $20 million for Friday’s contest, has brushed off the concerns for his wellbeing, insisting when critics from the boxing world are motivated by jealousy.
“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” he said earlier this year. “The people who said that wish they were up here. No-one else can do this.”
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