"CR7", back in the Portuguese selection after failing to bring the trophy back to the World Cup-2022, has surpassed the Kuwaiti Bader Al-Mutawa (196) with whom he shared the record until then and becomes the most capped player of all time.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner already held the world record for goals in selection since September 2021 by surpassing, thanks to a double against Ireland, the Iranian Ali Daei and his 109 achievements. He therefore has two of the most important records in men's national football for men.

Fans in delirium

In a one-sided encounter, Joao Cancelo quickly scored the first goal of the era of Roberto Martinez (1-0, 8th), new coach of Portugal after eight years under Fernando Santos.

It was not until the start of the second half that his teammate at Manchester City, Bernardo Silva, made the break (2-0, 47th). Cristiano Ronaldo then scored twice by converting a penalty (3-0, 51st) and then scoring a free kick (4-0, 63rd) in front of delirious fans who repeatedly chanted his name.

Facing the 198th nation in the world, the Portuguese presented themselves in a new 3-4-3 system built by the Spanish coach and very rarely used during Santos' tenure.

Cristiano Ronaldo converts a penalty for Portugal's 3rd goal against Liechtenstein in Lisbon, March 23, 2023 © CARLOS COSTA / AFP

Following a corner, Joao Cancelo tried his luck from distance, the ball being deflected by Cristiano Ronaldo before deceiving Liechtenstein goalkeeper Benjamin Büchel (1-0).

The Portuguese were then clumsy in the image of Ronaldo who first sent a header above (22nd), then saw his strike pushed away by Büchel (27th) before a new header passed a few centimeters from the opposing cages (35th).

Powerful free kick

Nevertheless, the 2016 European champions have regained their effectiveness when they return from the locker room. After a poorly cleared ball by the Liechtenstein defense, Bernardo Silva doubled the bet with a quiet strike in the open area (2-0).

A few minutes later, Cancelo got a penalty that Cristiano Ronaldo converted from a well-placed shot (3-0). Then, the five-time Ballon d'Or, pushed by the whole stadium, scored a sublime free kick from the entrance of the surface of a powerful strike into the skylight (4-0).

His finished work, CR7 was replaced by Benfica striker Gonçalo Ramos, to the applause and cheers of the crowd massed in the sold-out José Alvalade stadium.

With this victory, Portugal climbed to the top of Group J of the Euro 2024 qualifiers and has three points, tied with Bosnia and Herzegovina who beat Iceland in the same time (3-0).

The Seleção will continue their qualifying campaign on Sunday when they travel to Luxembourg.

© 2023 AFP