Cristiano Ronaldo increased his world-record tally of international goals to 128 as Portugal extended their perfect Euro 2024 qualifying record with a 2-0 win in Liechtenstein.
After a frustrating goalless first half for Roberto Martinez’s side, who top Group J on maximum points, Portugal almost broke the deadlock seconds after the restart when Ronaldo fired against the post from close range.
The 38-year-old, though, was soon celebrating his latest goal for his country, a 10th of the current campaign, when he was played into the left side of the penalty area by Diogo Jota and rifled the ball into the roof of the net.
Joao Cancelo added a second just before the hour with a neat finish from a tight angle past stranded Iceland goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel, while Joao Felix saw his effort ruled out for offside.
Portugal, who complete their qualifying campaign at home to Iceland on Sunday, had the ball in the net again with seven minutes left when Goncalo Ramos stabbed in from close range following a free-kick.
The goal, though, was eventually ruled out for offside following a lengthy VAR check and review by the referee on the pitchside monitor.
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Slovakia secured qualification as runners-up with a 4-2 win over Iceland in Bratislava.
Orri Oskarsson headed Iceland into an early lead, before Juraj Kucka equalised and Ondrej Duda’s penalty turned things around.
Lukas Haraslin struck twice for Slovakia in the second half, with Andri Gudjohnsen scoring a late second for Iceland.
Luxembourg beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1, with both sides set to go into the play-offs.
Spain took control at the top of Group A with a 3-1 win in Cyprus.
Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal gave the visitors an early lead after just five minutes, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Real Madrid forward Joselu putting Spain 3-0 up at the break.
Cyprus – who suffered an eighth straight loss in Group A – scored a consolation goal with 15 minutes left through substitute Kostas Pileas.
Scotland, who like Spain are already sure of a place in Germany next summer, fought back to draw 2-2 away against Georgia with a stoppage-time header from Lawrence Shankland.
Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put the hosts in front after 15 minutes, before Scott McTominay equalised early in the second half for his seventh goal of the qualifying campaign.
Kvaratskhelia restored Georgia’s lead in the 57th minute, but Hearts striker Shankland – a late call-up to the squad – had the final say when he headed home Stuart Armstrong’s cross two minutes into added time.
Spain are two points clear of Scotland heading into their last group fixture on Sunday against Georgia, who are set to go into the play-offs via their Nations League ranking, while the Scots host Norway.
Hungary qualified from Group G after an own goal from Bulgaria midfielder Alex Petkov deep into stoppage time saw them salvage a 2-2 draw in Sofia.
Martin Adam headed Hungary into a 10th-minute lead from a free-kick by Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, but Spas Delev soon had the hosts level.
Bulgaria were reduced to 10 men in the 36th minute when Valentin Antov collected a second caution, while Hungary saw winger Milos Kerkez dismissed just before the hour for two bookings.
Kiril Despodov then put Bulgaria, bottom of the table, in front from the penalty spot with 12 minutes left.
Just as it seemed Hungary would not get the point they needed to qualify with seven minutes of stoppage time played, Petkov headed Szoboszlai’s corner into his own net.
Later on Thursday, Montenegro beat Lithuania 2-0 in Podgorica to keep alive their qualification hopes.
In Group F, Sweden suffered a first defeat to Azerbaijan as they lost 3-0 in Baku.
Early goals from Emin Mahmudov and Renat Dadashov saw Azerbaijan 2-0 up after just six minutes against the already-eliminated Swedes, who were playing for the first time since their game against Belgium was abandoned a month ago after two people were shot dead in Brussels.
In the 56th minute, Azerbaijan defender Behlul Mustafazade was shown a red card early for hauling down Viktor Gyokeres as he ran clear, before Mahmudov scored a late third from long range.
Austria ended their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory away in Estonia to move two points clear at the top of the group above Belgium, who still have one fixture left
Milan 3-3 Genoa: Thiaw own goal denies Rossoneri in six-goal thriller
Milan were pegged back to a thrilling 3-3 draw by Genoa in Serie A on Sunday.
Second-half goals from Matteo Gabbia and Olivier Giroud put Milan on course for victory, but a late own goal from Malick Thiaw rescued a point for the visitors.
Genoa's Mateo Retegui converted a penalty five minutes in, but Milan equalised just before half-time through an Alessandro Florenzi header.
The visitors regained the lead three minutes into the second half, however, when Caleb Ekuban sent a towering header home.
Milan turned the game around in three minutes, as Gabbia headed home in the 72nd and Giroud scored the hosts' third of the match with a volley from an acute angle.
Yet Genoa continued to push and a cross into the Milan box was inadvertently turned into his own net by defender Thiaw.
Second-placed Milan have 71 points, six ahead of Juventus who play later on Sunday. Genoa are 12th with 43 points.
Data Debrief: Like a fine wine
Age really is just a number for Milan's veteran campaigner Giroud, who has scored 14 goals in Serie A this season.
It is his highest tally in a single league campaign since netting 16 for Arsenal in the Premier League in 2015-16.
Reggae Girlz forward Jody Brown graduates from Florida State University
Reggae Girl and Florida State University soccer star Jody Brown celebrated a significant milestone this past weekend as she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Humanities. At just 22 years old, Brown has achieved remarkable success both on the soccer field and in her academic pursuits.
Brown was among 101 student-athletes who graduated from FSU between last Friday and Saturday.
During her time at Florida State, Brown played a pivotal role in securing two National Division 1 Soccer titles in 2021 and 2023, adding to her impressive list of accolades. She was also part of four ACC Division One championship-winning teams in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, highlighting her exceptional talent and contribution to collegiate soccer.
Brown's impact extended beyond the field, as she excelled academically, culminating in her graduation this year. Reflecting on her university experience, Brown took to Instagram to express her gratitude and nostalgia: "Four years of unforgettable memories, lessons, and lifelong friendships. Thank you Florida State University."
Her Instagram post garnered warm congratulations from fellow Reggae Girlz teammates, including Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, Kiki van Zanten, and Tiffany Cameron. Jamaican track and field icon Veronica Campbell Brown, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 200m, also joined in celebrating Brown's achievement.
Brown's journey from representing Jamaica at the age of 16 to competing in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019 and 2023 underscores her dedication and talent both on and off the field. As she embarks on the next chapter of her career, Brown's achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and scholars alike, demonstrating the power of determination, resilience, and academic excellence in pursuit of one's goals.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Bayer Leverkusen: Alonso's champions roll on
Bayer Leverkusen extended their unbeaten streak as they secured a 5-1 away victory at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
The result leaves champions Leverkusen at the summit with 84 points, while Frankfurt sit sixth with 45.
Leverkusen's record unbeaten run, meanwhile, has now extended to 48 matches across all competitions.
Xabi Alonso's team opened the scoring through Granit Xhaka's bending strike from outside the box after 12 minutes.
Hugo Ekitike's perfectly timed header restored parity just after the half-hour mark, however.
Leverkusen retook the lead just before half-time through Patrik Schick's towering header.
It was 3-1 in the 58th minute, Exequiel Palacios converting a penalty after Niels Nkounkou pulled Nathan Tella by the shirt.
Jeremie Frimpong added a fourth for the visitors with 13 minutes remaining, tapping in from short distance, before the wing-back played a key role in Leverkusen's fifth, winning a penalty which was put away by Victor Boniface.
Data Debrief: Club history for free-scoring Leverkusen
Leverkusen have now scored 82 goals in this Bundesliga season, a new season record for the Werkself in the top flight.
They also lead the Bundesliga for the most goals from long-distance (11), most goals from set-pieces (23) and most goals in the final 15 minutes of matches (19).
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