Euro 2024: Ronaldo strikes twice as thrash Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his prowess by scoring twice as Portugal, led by Roberto Martinez, overwhelmed Bosnia and Herzegovina with a resounding 5-0 win on Monday in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Having secured their spot at the upcoming tournament in Germany with a victory over Slovakia last Friday, Portugal continued their remarkable form under Martinez, marking their eighth consecutive triumph since his arrival.

Ronaldo, the prolific forward, added to his legacy by notching his 126th and 127th goals for Portugal, solidifying his position as the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer.

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United contributed the third goal, while Barcelona’s Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix also got on the scoresheet, all before halftime.

On the other side, Bosnia, guided by veteran striker Edin Dzeko, find themselves in fifth place and can no longer advance from the group, particularly after Slovakia’s 1-0 victory against Luxembourg.

Bosnia has two remaining matches and trails second-placed Slovakia by seven points in Group J, with Portugal firmly leading the pack.

Martinez’s squad has been exceptional, amassing a perfect 24 points by scoring 32 goals and conceding only twice.

38-year-old Al-Nassr striker Ronaldo initiated the scoring from the penalty spot and then skillfully netted his second goal. However, he was substituted by Martinez after 65 minutes, still in pursuit of a hat-trick.

The former Real Madrid forward faced a pitch invader just before halftime, swiftly handled by vigilant stewards.

Fernandes and Cancelo showcased impeccable accuracy and power in their finishes, exploiting the home team’s defense. Felix added the fifth goal, sealing a dominant performance for Portugal.

Although Bosnia displayed defensive improvements in the second half, it was insufficient to salvage the match.