Portugal win on national day holiday

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo gave his homeland some welcome joy on their national holiday as his first-half strike gave Portugal a 1-0 win over Croatia in a friendly played in Geneva on Monday. Paulo Bento’s side enjoyed their second victory in just three days as they followed their much more important World Cup qualifying win over Russia on Friday with another successful evening’s work thanks to Ronaldo’s 39th international goal.

Croatia meanwhile suffer back to back defeats after their shock 1-0 home loss against Scotland which leaves them three points back of Belgium in Group A and the automatic berth for next year’s finals in Brazil. Ronaldo fired home the only goal of the match 10 minutes before the break and celebrated exuberantly in front of the Croatia fans after being on the receiving end of constant abuse and chants of ‘Messi’ from the travelling supporters. he country’s National Day or Portugal Day is recognised on June 10 and commemorates the death of literary icon Luis de Cameoes who died in 1580.