Belgium and the Netherlands scored 15 goals combined in big routs in World Cup qualifying, while Portugal got one from Cristiano Ronaldo in the victory against a Luxembourg team that tinkered with another shock result.
Belgium crushed Belarus 8-0 with Hans Vanaken and Leandro Trossard scoring a brace each to stay at the top in Group E while the Dutch thrashed Gibraltar 7-0 to go second behind Turkey in Group G on Tuesday.
Minnows Luxembourg, who opened with a surprising win against Ireland, looked on their way to pulling off another upset after they took the lead against Portugal, but the visitors came from behind to stay at the top of Group A along with Serbia, who earlier defeated Azerbaijan with another double by Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic.
After being held scoreless in the first two qualifiers this year, Ronaldo scored his 31st goal in World Cup qualifying early in the second half. He has now scored for Portugal in every calendar year since his first international goal in 2004, and moved six away from tying the all-time scoring record for a men’s national team.
The record of 109 goals is held by former Iran striker Ali Daei.