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Published: 09:56, October 13, 2021 | Updated: 18:09, October 13, 2021
Ronaldo nets hat-trick as Portugal rout Luxembourg
By Reuters
Published:09:56, October 13, 2021 Updated:18:09, October 13, 2021 By Reuters

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) vies with Luxembourg's goalkeeper Anthony Moris during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group A football match between Portugal and Luxembourg at the Estadio Algarve in Loule, near Faro, south of Portugal, on Oct 12, 2021. (CARLOS COSTA / AFP)

FARO - A 58th career hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal stroll to a 5-0 home win over Luxembourg in Group A of World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

Ronaldo struck twice from the penalty spot before his Man United team mate Bruno Fernandes made it three as he fired in following good work from Bernardo Silva

The treble, which meant Ronaldo became the first man to net 10 international hat-tricks, takes his tally to 115 international goals from 182 caps as he continues to pull away as the top men's international goalscorer of all-time.

Victory ensures Portugal remain a point behind leaders Serbia, who moved onto 17 points with a 3-1 home win over Azerbaijan, with a game in hand and superior goal difference.

Portugal had the game all but won within the first 18 minutes.

Ronaldo struck twice from the penalty spot before his Manchester United team mate Bruno Fernandes made it three as he fired in following good work from Bernardo Silva.

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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) kicks the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group A football match between Portugal and Luxembourg at the Estadio Algarve in Loule, near Faro, south of Portugal, on Oct 12, 2021. (CARLOS COSTA / AFP)

The forward then missed two gilt-edged chances either side of the break as he sought a third, before being denied a spectacular hat-trick goal when Anthony Moris kept out his acrobatic overhead kick.

Portugal did not have to wait long for their fourth, however, as midfielder Joao Palhinha headed in from the resulting corner with just over 20 minutes to go.

Ronaldo was not to be denied as the hosts pushed on, netting three minutes from time with a header from close range.

Next month Fernando Santos's Portugal side travel to Ireland before then hosting Serbia in what could be a winner-takes-all fixture to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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