World Cup friendly: Portugal routs Algeria as Cristiano Ronaldo returns

Portugal registered a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their final World Cup friendly, making a perfect return for Cristiano Ronaldo to the national squad after a two-game absence.

The Madrid forward took a break after the Blancos’ victory over Liverpool in the May 26 Champions League final.

During the game, Portugal forward Goncalo Guedes made the score 1-0 when he scored in the area off a headed pass by Bernardo Silva, who had received a long ball from William Carvalho.

The game also marked Ronaldo’s 150th appearance for his nation. The 5-time Ballon’Dor winner has scored 81 goals and provided 28 assists for his country.

As it stands, Ronaldo is the highest international goalscorer in football history, followed by rival Lionel Messi and Indian international Sunil Chhetri at 3rd.

Earlier, Portugal stumbled to a 2-2 tie against Tunisia and a scoreless draw versus Belgium without the Real Madrid forward.  

The country's defence which looked ponderous in the previous matches coped well with Algeria's attack and goalkeeper Rui Patricio had to make only one save, from substitute Baghdad Bounedjah.