Ronaldo scored a first-half penalty and a second half tap-in
as the Portuguese made it seven wins from seven matches in Group J. It has 21
points which ensures them a top two finish.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is having a great time, playing a lot of
minutes and scoring a lot of goals for his club,” said Portugal coach Roberto
Martinez, “He has a lot of experience with the national team and he’s a
reference point for young players.”
Slovakia is eight points back in second, two ahead of
Luxembourg which it plays on Monday.
Portugal got off to a flying start when Goncalo Ramos rose
highest to meet Bruno Fernandes’ cross in the eighth minute, heading the ball
down and past Martin Dubravka in the Slovakia goal.
It marked a seventh goal in just nine matches for Ramos and
a sixth assist of the campaign for Fernandes who almost doubled the score in
the 26th minute only to be denied by a brilliant one-handed save by Dubravka.
Three minutes later Denis Vavro was adjudged to have handled
the ball, a decision confirmed by VAR.
Ronaldo stepped up to slot home his 124th goal for Portugal
in the venue where he scored his first international goal, against Greece in
the opening game of Euro 2004.
Slovakia came back into the game in the 69th minute when
David Hancko’s shot from outside the area deflected off Antonio Silva’s heel
and into the bottom corner - the first goal Portugal had conceded in
qualifying.
Three minutes later, Ronaldo restored the two-goal advantage
tapping in another lovely cross from Fernandes for goal number 125.
Ten minutes from time, however, the game was back on as
Stanislav Lobotka let fly from outside the area and buried the ball in the top
corner.
Portugal should have sealed it late on but Diogo Jota was
denied by the outstanding Dubravka but the host had done enough to stamp its
ticket for the Euros.
“We won the match with a very good first half,” said
Martinez, “The important thing was the result. In seven games we’ve shown a
perfect attitude. I’m very satisfied, but it’s only a stage.”