Ronaldo Injured, Barkley Shines in England’s Win against Montenegro

Ronaldo Injured, Barkley Shines in England’s Win against Montenegro

EURO QUALIFIERS

Portugal Captain, Cristiano Ronaldo left the field with a thigh injury in Portugal’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Serbia after half an hour of play yesterday on the same night that all the other big teams won their matches convincingly.

Ronaldo’s Juventus play the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal at Ajax on April 10.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, making his international return after a nine-month absence, was replaced by Benfica winger Pizzi as Portugal trailed 1-0 after 30 minutes but the European champions were able to secure a 1-1 scoreline.

Meanwhile Ross Barkley scored twice and provided an assist as England came from behind to hammer Montenegro in their Euro 2020 qualifier in Podgorica.

Barkley’s cross was headed in by Michael Keane after Marko Vesovic’s curler had given the hosts a shock lead.

The midfielder then diverted in a shot from 18-year-old Chelsea team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi – who impressed on his full debut – before half-time, and coolly finished from Raheem Sterling’s cutback after an hour.

Sterling set up Harry Kane to make it 4-1 before slotting in England’s fifth.

The Three Lions, who also thrashed the Czech Republic 5-0 on Friday, remain top of Group A.

In other matches, Ukraine won 2-1 away at Luxembourg while World Champion, France defeated Iceland 4-0 with goals from Samuel Umtiti, Oliver Giroud, Kylian Mbape and Antoine Griezmann.

Bulgaria and Kosovo share the spoil in 1-1 in Pristina.

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