Ronaldo scores 2 more goals for Portugal in Luxembourg qualifier

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal in the UEFA Euro 2024 group J qualification match between Luxembourg and Portugal on March 26, 2023 at Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg. PHOTO AFP LUXEMBOURG -- Cristiano Ronaldo continued his record-breaking form for Portugal as he grabbed two more goals in his country's 6 -- 0 thrashing of Luxembourg in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Sunday, giving him a second win in four days.

The 38-year-old grabbed a double against Liechtenstein on Thursday and scored twice more in Luxembourg to extend his record tally of international goals to 122 in 198 appearances.

Joao Felix, Bernando Silva, Otavio and Rafael Leao added the other goals to put Portugal top of Group J after an easy start to their qualifying campaign.

New coach Roberto Martinez brought Ronaldo into the starting line-up last week and kept faith with him for the match in Luxembourg, where it took only nine minutes for the veteran superstar to open the scoring as he touched Nuno Mendes's soaring header.

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo shoots and scores his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 group J qualification match between Luxembourg and Portugal at Stade de Luxembourg in Luxembourg on March 26, 2023. PHOTO AFP Joao Felix doubled the lead in the 15th minute, rising high to get to the end of Silva's cross. Silva then drove home a powerful effort three minutes later after being set up by Joao Palhinha.

Bruno Fernandes set up Ronaldo for the fourth, just past the half hour mark, with a ball over the defence that finished with pin-point accuracy.

Luxembourg looked bedraggled in the first half but offered more resistance after the break before Rafael Leao's looping cross allowed fellow substitute Otavio to head home Portugal's fifth.

Ruben Neves, yet to score for Portugal, hit the crossbar with a 83rd minute freekick before a penalty was awarded immediately after Luxembourg captain Laurent Jans tripped Rafael Leao.

Luxembourg's Leandro Barreiro left to play for the ball against Portugal's Danilo during the Euro 2024 group J qualifying soccer match between Luxembourg and Portugal at the Stade de Luxembourg in Luxembourg on March 26, 2023. PHOTO AP The AC Milan forward got up off the turf to take the kick but his effort was saved by Luxembourg keeper Anthony Moris.

Rafael Leao ran half the length of the field to latch onto Reuben Neves pass and cut inside before squeezing the ball home for a 6 -- 0 scoreline with two minutes remaining.