World Cup qualifiers: Ronaldo nets hat-trick as Portugal rout Luxembourg
Denmark qualifies for World Cup
Paris(AP): Another hat trick for Cristiano Ronaldo, another win and qualification for the World Cup for Denmark. And yet more crowd trouble in a game between England and Hungary.
There was a sense of familiarity to the World Cup qualifiers in Europe on Tuesday, not least in Faro where Ronaldo extended his men's record tally of international goals to 115 by scoring the 58th hat trick of his career for club and country in Portugal's 5-0 win over Luxembourg.
Denmark became the second European nation to qualify for next year's tournament in Qatar, after Germany on Monday, by securing an eighth straight win in group play by beating Austria 1-0.
The decisive win sealed by Joakim Maehle's second-half goal came at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen where star playmaker Christian Eriksen collapsed in June during a European Championship game. It is still unclear if Eriksen can resume his career to play at the World Cup in 13 months' time.
England is likely to be there, but was made to wait before booking its place after being held to a 1-1 draw by Hungary at Wembley Stadium.
Events on the field were overshadowed by clashes between police officers and Hungary supporters at the start of the match, sparked according to police by a visiting fan making "racially aggravated" comments toward a steward.
Disorder by Hungary fans including racism during the first group match between the teams, in Budapest last month, led to the Hungarians having to play a game in an empty stadium.
Sweden climbed above Spain into first place in Group B with a 2-0 win over Greece, and Switzerland moved level on points with Italy in Group C with a 4-0 victory over Lithuania.
In Group A, Portugal is a point behind Serbia, which beat Azerbaijan 3-1, but has a game in hand. Only the top team from each group qualifies automatically for the World Cup. The second-place finishers go into the playoffs.
RONALDO'S HAUL
A pair of penalties, in the eighth and 13th minutes, set Ronaldo on his way to a record 10th international hat trick for Portugal that was completed in the 87th minute.
The 36-year-old Manchester United striker was playing his 182nd international game.
Bruno Fernandes and Jo o Palhinha also scored for Portugal in its fourth straight win in qualifying, which left a straight shootout with Serbia for first place.
Serbia's last game is at Portugal, which will first play its game in hand away to Ireland.
DANES THROUGH
Denmark is continuing its good form from the European Championship, where the team surged to the semifinals despite losing Eriksen in distressing circumstances in the opening game.
The clean sheet against Austria meant the Danes have yet to concede in Group F, while they are the only team with a 100% record in qualifying.
Maehle scored with a sweeping shot that was teed up by Thomas Delaney's direct run, taking Denmark to 27 goals second only to the Netherlands.
Denmark holds an unassailable seven-point lead over Scotland, which is still on track to finish runner-up after a 1-0 win at the Faeroe Islands.
Scotland is four points clear of third-place Israel, which beat visiting Moldova 2-1.
CROWD TROUBLE
Crowd trouble marred both of the games in Group I at the start of the England-Hungary game and near the end of Albania-Poland.
The unrest at Wembley unfolded after officers entered the away stand "to arrest a spectator for a racially aggravated" comment toward a steward," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
Police were seen wielding batons to hold back the visiting fans but the rest of the game passed off largely peacefully.
The English Football Association said it was reporting the incident to FIFA, which has previously put Hungary on probation with the threat of another game being played without fans if there was further disorder at games.
In Tirana, the match between Albania and Poland was temporarily halted when Polish players walked off the field after Albanian fans threw water bottles at them. The incident came after Poland's players celebrated scoring a 77th-minute goal that ultimately earned a 1-0 win.
A Polish official on the bench called on the players to immediately leave the field. Before the game resumed 20 minutes later a stadium announcement warned fans that Albania could have to forfeit if more objects were thrown.
England is three points clear of Poland, which is a further two points ahead of third-place Albania.
SWEDEN AND SWITZERLAND SOAR
The wins for Sweden and Switzerland set up thrilling finales to their groups.
Sweden leads Spain by two points with two games left for each. One of those is a meeting between the countries in Spain.
Italy, the European champion, is only above Switzerland on goal difference ahead of the teams' match in Rome on Nov. 12.
The Italians travel to Northern Ireland for their final qualifier, while Switzerland completes its program at home to Bulgaria.
In Group D, Teemu Pukki became Finland's record scorer by netting both goals in a 2-0 win at Kazakhstan. The Norwich striker moved onto 33 goals, one more than Jari Litmanen.
Finland is in third place, a point behind Ukraine which drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina and four behind France.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
