Both the national clubs of England and Portugal have recorded their 2 – wins out of their 2 – games apiece to begin the commencement of the European Championship qualifying matches, and both England and Portugal were led and assisted by their superstar players in Harry Kane as well as Cristiano Ronaldo who keep their record – breaking streaks going.
Kane spiked his record – extending 55th – goal score for his national team in order to help England defeat Ukraine with a final tally of 2 to 0, while on the other hand Ronaldo found the back of the net 2 – times in his 198th – international match appearance for the Portugal national squad in their 6 to nil victory over Luxembourg recently.
Slovenia was the only other national team during the start of the 2024 European Championship qualifying matchesto begin with a perfect start following their first 2 – contests as they defeated San Marino with the final score of 2 to 0.
The defending champions of the European Championship, Italy, finally secured their 1st – victory of these qualifiers by beating Malta with the final of 2 to nil.
Kane Continues to Deliver for England
Following Kane surpassing the all – time great English footballer in Wayne Rooney as England’s forth most leading goal scorer, he happened to extend his record streak during a penalty – kick on Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 in a victory over Italy on Italy’s native soil.
Kane then went on to further extend his record streak at Wembley in London, England as the English national captain hit pay dirt during the 37th – minute of match play in the Group C contest after converting Bukayo Saka’s sweet cross – kick in front of the far post for another quality goal score.
Deservingly, Saka made his name known on the match score – sheet just 3 – minutes after Kane’s strike when he turned on the edge of the area in order to curl in a devasting shot up in to the top corner of the opposing goal.
Italy managed to somehow bounce back from their opening 2024 European Championship qualifying match to the hands of England by coming out victorious vs. Malta when with Mateo Retegui found the back of the net once again.
The forward that is a native of Argentina in Retegui, who has attained Italian citizenship via his maternal grandmother, headed in a corner – kick for a goal for the Italy’s opening score during the 15th – minute of match play. Retegui became the 1st – Italian national player to score a goal throughout his 1st – 2 competitive international contests in approximately 55 – years.
The Azzurri – side managed to double their tally count in the 27th – minute of the game when Matteo Pessina snapped the ball passed the defending goalkeeper on a low cross – kick from his teammate Emerson.
Ronaldo comes through Strong for Portugal
The all – time goal score leader in men’s football, Ronaldo, took his career count for Portugal to 122 – total goals throughout his 198 – international matches for the Portuguese national team.
The now 38 – year – old Cristiano began the scoring when he slapped the net with his club’s 4th – goal just following the 30 – minute mark as the 2016 champions very easily came out victorious in Luxembourg. João Félix, Bernardo Silva, as well as the substitutes of Otavio and Rafael Leão continued to add more goal scores for team Portugal.
Also, in Group J action of the 2024 European Championship qualifying matches, Aron Gunnarsson snapped some nice shots to record a 2nd – half hat trick as Iceland defeated Liechstein 7 to nil, and Slovakia ended up taking down Bosnia – Herzegovina with a final tally of 2 to 0.
Harry Kane’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards
Tottenham Hotspur
- Football League / EFL Cup Runner – Up: 2014 – 2015, 2020 – 2021
- UEFA Champions League Runner – Up: 2018 – 2019
England
- UEFA European Championship Runner – Up: 2020
- UEFA Nations League Third Place: 2018 – 2019
Individual
- Millwall Young Player of the Year: 2011 – 2012
- Premier League Player of the Month: January 2015, February 2015, March 2016, February 2017, September 2017, December 2017, March 2022
- PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016, 2016 – 2017, 2017 –2018, 2020 – 2021
- PFA Young Player of the Year: 2014 – 2015
- Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year: 2014 – 2015, 2020 – 2021
- Premier League Golden Boot: 2015 – 2016, 2016 – 2017, 2020 – 2021
- Premier League Playmaker of the Season: 2020 – 2021
- PFA Fans’ Player of the Year: 2016 – 2017
- Football Supporters’ Federation Player of the Year: 2017
- England Player of the Year Award: 2017, 2018
- FIFA World Cup Golden Boot: 2018
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2018
- IFFHS World’s Best Top Goal Scorer: 2017
- London Football Awards Premier League Player of the Year: 2018, 2021
Orders
- Member of the Order of the British Empire: 2019
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards
Sporting CP
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2002
Manchester United
- Premier League: 2006 – 2007, 2007 – 2008, 2008 – 2009
- FA Cup: 2003 – 2004
- Football League Cup: 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009
- FA Community Shield: 2007
- UEFA Champions League: 2007 – 2008
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2011 – 2012, 2016 – 2017
- Copa del Rey: 2010 – 2011, 2013 – 2014
- Supercopa de España: 2012, 2017
- UEFA Champions League: 2013 – 2014, 2015 – 2016, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018
- UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2017
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017
Juventus
- Serie A: 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020
- Coppa Italia: 2020 – 2021
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2018, 2020
- Portugal U20
- Toulon Tournament: 2003
Portugal
- UEFA European Championship: 2016
- UEFA Nations League: 2018 – 2019
Individual
- FIFA Ballon d’Or / Ballon d’Or: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
- FIFA World Player of the Year: 2008
- The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2016, 2017
- The Best FIFA Special Award for Outstanding Career Achievement: 2021
- European Golden Shoe: 2007 – 2008, 2010 – 2011, 2013 – 2014, 2014 – 2015
- FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2016
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2004, 2012, 2016
- UEFA European Championship Golden Boot: 2020
- Premier League Player of the Season: 2006 – 2007, 2007 – 2008
- La Liga Best Player: 2013 – 2014
- Serie A Footballer of the Year: 2019, 2020
- Premier League Golden Boot: 2007 – 2008
- Pichichi Trophy: 2010 – 2011, 2013 – 2014, 2014 – 2015
- Capocannoniere: 2020 – 2021
- FPF Portuguese Player of the Year: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
Orders
- PRT Ordem de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao de Vila Vicosa Cavaleiro ribbon.svg Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (Portuguese Royal Family)
- PRT Order of Prince Henry – Grand Officer BAR.png Grand officer of the Order of Prince Henry
- POR Ordem do Merito Comendador BAR.svg Commander of the Order of Merit
- Cordão Autonómico de Distinção
Sources:
Matar, Aniella. “Kane and Ronaldo help England and Portugal stay perfect”. The Associated Press. Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Football Reference News Services. “Harry Kane”. Football Reference. Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
Football Reference News Services. “Cristiano Ronaldo”. Football Reference. Tuesday, March 28, 2023.