Cristiano Ronaldo ’s hat-trick earned 10-man Portugal a 3-2 win against Armenia in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Yerevan. Marcos Pizzelli s...
Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick earned 10-man Portugal a 3-2 win against Armenia in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Yerevan. Marcos Pizzelli scored from a free-kick for Armenia in the 14th minute but Ronaldo scored a penalty to level before the half-hour.
The Real Madrid striker added two more goals, in the 55th and 58th minutes, to secure victory and keep Portugal top of Group I. Portugal’s Tiago Mendes was sent off for a second yellow card in the 62nd and Hrayr Mkoyanscored the hosts’ second goal 10 minutes later.
There was more misery for the Euro 2016 hosts, France, who suffered their third defeat in four games when they were surprisingly beaten 1-0 away to Albania in a friendly.
After defeats by Brazil and Belgium, either side of beating Denmark, Didier Deschamps’ side produced an unconvincing display and despite dominating possession Les Bleus lacked a cutting edge.
Robert Lewandowski scored a hat‑trick in the last four minutes of play to lead Poland to a 4-0 victory over Georgiathat left the Poles atop Group D. Poland, with 14 points from six matches, are a point clear of Germany
Andre Schuerrle scored a hat-trick for the world champions in their 7-0 thrashing ofGibraltar in Euro 2016 qualifying Group D on Saturday.
Bastian Schweinsteiger had a penalty saved by keeper Jordan Perez after 10 minutes but Germany were gifted a goal after an unforced error by Ryan Casciaro allowed in Schuerrle who finished clinically after 28 minutes in Faro, Portugal.
The floodgates opened after the break when Max Kruse rolled the ball home from close range and further goals came from Ilkay Gundogan and Karim Bellarabi.
Schuerrleknocked in two more from close range and Kruse completed a brace with a sweetly-struck volley from the edge of the area
