Roberto Martinez, coach of the Portuguese national football team, praised Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, after he scored two goals in his team’s 6-0 win over Luxembourg.
Ronaldo scored two goals against Liechtenstein last Thursday, then scored two more goals on Sunday against Luxembourg, so that the Portuguese national team achieved two victories in the first two matches of the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, Otavio and Rafael Leao scored the other goals, and Martinez was quick to praise Ronaldo’s contribution in the Spanish coach’s first two matches in charge of Portugal.
He said in the press conference after the match: Cristiano has an amazing international experience, probably unique, because he is the only player to have played 198 international matches. His experience is very important in the locker room.
The former Belgium coach said he was happier with keeping a clean sheet than with an offensive performance, and praised Antonio Silva, 19, who was playing as a substitute for Goncalo Inacio.
Martinez said: I appreciate not conceding more goals than scoring six goals, the penalty kick and the amazing attacking way we played here in Luxembourg. This match was not easy. What was important in the two matches was work and continuity.
He added: It was not just a change of options. There are many options, the change was made because of the physical requirements. It was important to see Goncalo Inácio play well in the first game (against Liechtenstein), but for a young player, three days after a game was also important for him to rest.
And he added: It was important to see Antonio Silva play in an important position, get the ball and advance in front of the Luxembourg attack.
The Portuguese national team leads Group X, beating the Slovak national team by two points, as the following matches will be held in June, when the Portuguese national team hosts its counterpart, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
