reuters
Moscow/ Loule, June 14: Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored a superb hat-trick to secure a 3-2 win away to Armenia in the European qualifiers at Moscow. The win placed Portugal five points clear at the top of Group I.
In another game played at the port city of Loule in Portugal, World Champions Germany went on a goal rush against minnows Gibraltar and slammed in seven goals without conceding any.
Armenia coach Sargis Hovsepyan was in charge of his first match for the hosts who looked comfortable early on and took the lead in the 14th minute through forward Marcos Pizzelli whose free-kick flew into the top corner via the underside of the bar.
The visitors levelled through Ronaldo’s spot- kick after Henrikh Mkhitaryan fouled playmaker Joao Moutinho. The Real Madrid striker then put Portugal in front when he capitalised on a mix-up between Robert Arzumanyan and goalkeeper Roman Berezovski to score into an empty net. Three minutes later, the Real Madrid forward completed his treble with a stunning 20-metre strike into the top corner.
Portugal midfielder Tiago Mendes was sent off for a second bookable offence just past the hour mark leaving the visitors to sit back and defend in the closing stages.
Armenia’s Hrayr Mkoyan reduced the deficit with his first goal for his country after a mistake by keeper Rui Patricio but Portugal held on despite coming under late pressure.
In the Group D match between Germany and Gibraltar, the former failed to find the net till the 30th minute against some stubborn defending. Gibraltar custodian Jordan Perez also saved a Bastian Schweinsteiger penalty.
But once André Schürrle capitalised on a mistake by Ryan Casciaro to open the account there was no stopping Germany.
Early in the second half it was the turn of Max Kruse and Ilkay Gündogan to add to the tally. Then in the 64th Mesut Ozil set up Karim Bellarabi for his first Germany strike. Schurrle then added two more to complete his hat-trick before Kruse completed the rout with a goal in stoppage time.
