Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, played a pivotal role in securing Portugal's place in EURO 2024 with a brilliant performance against Slovakia, resulting in a 3-2 victory at Estadio Do Dragao in Porto on Saturday.

Portugal, under Ronaldo's leadership, asserted dominance from the outset, with Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos making a fiery header in the 18th minute to score the first goal of the match.

Shortly after the initial goal, the Portuguese football legend added his name to the scoresheet by converting a penalty kick.

Slovakia mounted a comeback in the 69th minute when David Hancko scored their first goal. Nevertheless, Portugal's captain extended the lead with his second goal in the 72nd minute. The 38-year-old had an easy finish after Bruno Fernandes delivered a low cross into the box, with CR7 positioned perfectly.

In the 80th minute, Stanislav Lobotka netted Slovakia's second goal in an attempt to make a comeback but fell short, resulting in a 3-2 loss.

Portugal currently tops the EURO qualification Group J points table, while Slovakia holds the second position.

Meanwhile, in another thrilling match, France secured their spot in Euro 2024 with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in Amsterdam. French striker Kylian Mbappe played a starring role, scoring twice, including a stunning long-range strike.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the seventh minute, and later, in the 53rd minute, he dazzled with a magnificent goal, exchanging passes with Adrien Rabiot and curling a shot into the top corner from outside the box.

Netherlands' Quilindschy Hartman scored a late goal, but it was not enough to alter the outcome.

Following their match against the Netherlands, France leads Group B with 18 points