Cristiano Ronaldo scrapes studs in keeper’s face after missing easy sitter

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Cristiano Ronaldo miraculously escaped receiving a red card in Portugal's Euro 2024 qualifier against Slovakia after he scraped his studs across goalkeeper Martin Dubravka's face.

On the hour mark of Portugal and Slovakia's clash, the legendary forward was handed the simplest of chances from yards out to double his sides lead, only to fluff his lines by scuffing his effort.

With the ball bobbling away towards Newcastle shot stopper Dubravka, Ronaldo tried his best to get to it first. But instead of connecting with the ball, the 38-year-old Al Nassr star ended up connecting with Dubravka's face.

In his efforts to get to the ball, Ronaldo slid his studs into the Slovakian keeper's face, an act which looked almost certainly to be a red card offence.

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However, referee Glenn Nyberg only brandished a yellow card, much to the disbelief of Slovakia's players and on-looking fans, who were left bemused that Ronaldo had escaped without being sent off.

One of the players who looked most confused was Slovakian skipper Milan Skriniar, who raced over to confront Ronaldo immediately after he had left Dubravka sprawled out on the ground.

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And even after a VAR check, Nyberg's decision of a yellow card stood, with Ronaldo free to finish the remainder of the Group J Euro 2024 qualifier. However, he wouldn't find the back of the net, with the game finish up 1-0 to Portugal.

On 43 minutes, Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes picked the ball up on the right-flank, dribbling past defenders to fire a sublime strike low past Dubravka on the stoke of half-time.

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And the 1-0 win for Roberto Martinez's side preserved Portugal's perfect Euro 2024 qualification campaign. So far through five games, Portugal have won all their fixtures, scoring a total of 15 goals and conceding zero.

Slovakia sit second, while Luxembourg are third. And Ronaldo and co will look to continue their perfect international form next week on Monday when they host Luxembourg at the Estadio Algarve.

• Cristiano Ronaldo

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