Watch Cristiano Ronaldo Score Thunderous Freekick in Record Breaking Game As Portugal Rout Liechtenstein

• Cristiano Ronaldo banished the question marks over his international future with a brace against Liechtenstein
• The 38-year-old also chalked a new milestone, becoming the most-capped men's international footballer in history
• His double, including a stunning freekick against the European minnows, sends his international tally to a staggering 120 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo rifled home a thunderous freekick as Portugal brushed aside Liechtenstein in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener on Thursday evening.

The Al-Nassr forward, who had earlier stated he is motivated by records, reached a new landmark in his illustrious career, reaching a world-record 197th men's international appearance.

Ronaldo had moved level with Bader Al-Mutawa on 196 caps at the World Cup but surpassed the Kuwaiti forward in Portugal's Group J opener, per BBC.

How did Ronaldo perform?

The 38-year-old expertly dispatched a penalty after Cancelo had been brought down before his net-breaking free-kick in the 63rd minute extended his record for the most goals in international football to an eyewatering 120 strikes, Sky Sports reports.

Ronaldo breaks men's international caps record, scores double

Football

Ronaldo's rasping freekick

In their comeback win in the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano had notched a long-range freekick for Al-Nassr, ending his nearly three-year stretch of failing to score from a set-piece.

He continued his newly-found form with dead-ball situations when he powered home from the edge of the box to make it back-to-back freekick goals in a space of five days.

What's next for Cristiano?

The veteran forward will hope for a similar turn of fortunes when Portugal travel to Luxembourg for their second group game on Sunday, March 26.

Ronaldo chalks new milestone

Sports Brief reported that Cristiano Ronaldo broke the men's international appearance record on Thursday and marked the occasion by scoring twice in Portugal's 4-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Kane leads England to win in Italy, Ronaldo sets new caps record as Portugal cruise

Football

The 38-year-old, who was dropped from the Portuguese first-choice XI during the World Cup in Qatar last year, won a 197th cap for his country in Lisbon as a starter.

He netted a 51st-minute penalty after earlier goals from Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva before drilling home a free-kick 12 minutes later.