FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Cristiano Ronaldo Fumes After Being Denied Winner, Belgium Held

Cristiano Ronaldo threw his captain's armband to the bottom in anger after being controversially denied an injury-time winner as Portugal blew a two-goal lead towards Serbia in World Cup qualifying on Saturday, whereas Romelu Lukaku's 59th worldwide aim salvaged Belgium a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic. The Netherlands noticed off Latvia 2-0 after their opening Group G defeat by Turkey, who backed up that efficiency with a formidable 3-0 victory over Norway. Portugal drew 2-2 in Belgrade, regardless of Ronaldo believing he had scored the winner within the third minute of stoppage time when the ball appeared to cross the goalline earlier than Stefan Mitrovic cleared.

However with out expertise in use, the aim was not awarded and a fuming Ronaldo was then booked for his protests.

On the last whistle he walked off the pitch in anger, throwing his captain's armband to the bottom.

"I always give and will give everything for my country, that will never change," Ronaldo later posted on his Instagram web page. 

"But there are difficult times to deal with, especially when we feel that an entire nation is being harmed."

Portugal coach Fernando Santos instructed RTP: "We scored a goal that was not given when the ball went in. In a match of this level, that isn't possible."

Portugal had gave the impression to be cruising to 3 factors in Belgrade when 2-0 up by way of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota's first-half double.

However Nemanja Radonjic's half-time introduction proved essential for Serbia as he arrange Aleksandar Mitrovic and Filip Kostic to internet within the first quarter-hour of the second interval.

Belgium, the world quantity one-ranked facet, sit behind the Czech Republic on aim distinction within the early Group E standings.

Lukas Provod put the Czechs forward shortly after half-time in Prague with an impressive long-range strike, his first worldwide aim.

Ten minutes later, Lukaku collected Kevin De Bruyne's move, turned his marker and drilled the ball below goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik for his nineteenth aim in his final 16 video games for Belgium.

Luxembourg stunner

Roberto Martinez's males virtually took the lead 14 minutes from time, however after Lukaku teed up De Bruyne, the Manchester Metropolis midfielder smashed a low shot towards the publish.

"If you look at Czech Republic's results these last months, we knew that it would be a tough game," Belgium captain Jan Vertonghen instructed VTM. "They created the good chances, won almost every second ball. But at home we are stronger."

Within the different Group A sport, Luxembourg pulled off a shock 1-0 win over a lacklustre Republic of Eire in Dublin.

Eire had been toothless in assault and the guests made them pay within the eighty fifth minute with Dynamo Kiev ahead Gerson Rodrigues's winner.

It was solely Luxembourg's sixth victory in World Cup qualifying since their first involvement in 1934.

Frank de Boer's Netherlands gave the 5,000 followers allowed into the Johan Cruyff Enviornment in Amsterdam one thing to cheer as Steven Berghuis's Thirty second-minute curling effort and Luuk de Jong's second-half header noticed off Latvia.

"We know that goal difference will be important in these qualifiers," stated De Boer, who additionally noticed De Jong and Davy Klaassen hit the woodwork within the first World Cup qualifier to be refereed by a lady -- France's Stephanie Frappart.

Human rights protest

"We deserved to win with at least five goals. We tried everything."

The Netherlands gamers adopted Norway and Germany by protesting in help of human rights in Qatar, the place the 2023 World Cup finals might be held.

Fenerbahce midfielder Ozan Tufan scored twice as Turkey beat a harmful Norway facet.

Leicester centre-back Caglar Soyuncu additionally loved a fantastic efficiency as he netted the second aim and helped maintain Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland quiet.

"Last year we've qualified for Euro 2020 and now we're fighting for a spot in the World Cup," Soyuncu instructed uefa.com. "We want to be there."

Russia, World Cup quarter-finalists on residence soil three years in the past, moved high of the early Group H desk with a 2-1 victory over Slovenia, who had began their marketing campaign by beating 2018 runners-up Croatia.

Promoted

Croatia struggled to seek out their finest type once more, however Mario Pasalic's header 5 minutes earlier than the break helped Zlatko Dalic's males edge out Cyprus 1-0 in Rijeka.

Slovakia are already struggling of their bid to qualify, after being held to a 2-2 residence draw by minnows Malta.