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INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Ronaldo becomes 4th European to score 70 goals for his country

The Portuguese captain landed two goals against Hungary to put his goal tally with his international side to 70 as Portugal look to make it to the World Cup.

Update:
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the WC 2018 group B football qualifing match Portugal vs Hungary
PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRAAFP

Cristiano Ronaldo became just the fourth European footballer to score 70 goals for his country when he landed a brace for Portugal during their 3-0 over Hungary on Saturday night. He has scored nine goals in three games having scored seven in three against Andorra, Faroe Islands and Latvia.

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier match between Portugal and Hungary
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Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier match between Portugal and HungaryGualter FatiaGetty Images

The others to go before him were former Hungary and Spain striker Ferenç Puskas who scored 84 goals in 89 appearances. Sandor Kocsis scored 75 goals in 68 appearances for Hungary including 11 goals at the 1954 World Cup. Another, more modern player also joins Ronaldo in the 70 goal club in Miroslav Klose with 71 goals in 137 appearances.

The best of the rest

Other players that came close but could not quite break that 70 goal threshold were Ireland's Robbie Keane on 68, Spain's David Villa with 59 and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on 57, who have all since retired from international football.