Cristiano Ronaldo has equaled Luis Figo’s Portuguese national team record of 127 caps with his appearance in the European Championship 2016 first-round game against Iceland on Tuesday night.
But the record-equaling match did not turn out as he must have dreamnt, as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by less-fancied Iceland, with Ronaldo missing two glaring chances, even mis-kicking one
Figo was the all-time leader on number of games for Portugal with 127 caps.
While Figo is set to be overtaken by Ronaldo in Portugal’s next game in France, it will take a while before Ronaldo’s goal-scoring record for his country is overhauled.
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Ronaldo has scored a total six goals in the Euros and leads on Portuguese all-time goals with 58 strikes, while Figo had two European Championship goals and scored an overall 32 goals.
At age 18, Ronaldo earned his first senior cap in a 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan, on 20 August 2003. He was subsequently called up for UEFA Euro 2004, held in his home country, and scored his first international goal in a 2–1 group stage loss to eventual champions Greece.
After converting his penalty in a shootout against England at the quarter-final stage, he helped Portugal reach the final by scoring the opening goal in a 2–1 win over the Netherlands, but the crucial last match ended in a 0–1 defeat.
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He was featured in the team of the tournament, having provided two assists in addition to his two goals. Ronaldo has a combined 26 goals in the Euros and qualifiers.
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