Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his 100th goal for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo became only the second male footballer to score 100 goals for his country as he netted a sublime free-kick for Portugal against Sweden on Tuesday night.

He is the first European to reach the incredible landmark, and is closing in on the all-time record of 109 set by Iran legend Ali Daei after taking his tally to 101 goals moments later.

It is just the latest in a long line of landmarks passed by the 35-year-old, who scored the 700th goal of his extraordinary career last year.

Cristiano Ronaldo became only the second male footballer to score 100 goals for his country

The Juventus star netted a sublime free-kick for Portugal against Sweden on Tuesday night

Portugal captain Ronaldo celebrates after reaching a century of goals for his country

Ronaldo took his tally to 101 goals shortly after hitting landmark with effort from outside box

Ronaldo pokes home on the line to take his goal tally for Portugal up to 99 last year

The 35-year-old forward took his international tally to 98 against Lithuania in November

Ronaldo accelerated his goalscoring return in 2019 as he closed in on a century 

The most established nation he has had success against is Sweden, who have conceded seven times to him. After that come Holland, who Ronaldo has scored past four times.

He has never scored against England, though it was his decisive penalty in the 2006 shootout that sent the Golden Generation packing in Gelsenkirchen. 

Brazil, Germany and France are also among those who’ve managed to keep Ronaldo out. 

As time has passed Ronaldo has become increasingly more prolific in front of goal for his country. Last year was his deadliest in front of goal – providing him with 14. He’s reached the landmark in double quick time having started 2019 on 85 goals for his country.

He was in red hot form last year for Portugal, scoring 11 times in just six games, only failing to score in the Nations League final against Holland last June. 

The refinement of his game to more of a penalty box player than all-round spearhead has undoubtedly accelerated his goal return in recent years. 

Unsurprisingly it’s the right boot of Ronaldo that has been the most prolific in the last 16 years, scoring over half of his goals – 54 to be precise. His infamous heading ability has helped him plunder 25 goals, three more than he has scored with his left. 

The vast majority of his goals have come from inside the box, 80 of them, with 21 from outside the box. Set-pieces have come in handy. He’s added 10 from a direct free-kick and 11 from the penalty spot. 

The…