Cristiano Ronaldo scores 700th career goal as Portugal attempt fight back against Ukraine

CRISTIANO RONALDO has scored the 700th goal of his stellar career — but he could not stop Portugal losing 2-1 in Ukraine.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star reached the sensational milestone as he hit the back of the net in Kiev with a 72nd-minute penalty.

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Ukraine had taken a two-goal lead through Roman Yaremchuk and Andriy Yarmolenko, giving the Portuguese a mountain to climb.

But when Taras Stepanenko handled the ball in the box — being shown his second yellow card — the forward stepped up to hit the back of the net and become the sixth player to reach the milestone.

He joins a stellar elite company of strikers to land such a number, including Josef Bican, Ferenc Puskas, Gerd Muller, Pele and Romario.

Ronaldo pointed to the sky with both hands as he wheeled away in celebration and even Ukraine defender Vitali Mykolenko appeared to watch on in awe at his celebration.

After just five goals at Sporting Lisbon, he landed 118 at Manchester United, 450 at Real Madrid, 95 for Portugal and 32 for his current club Juventus.

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The victory hands Ukraine an automatic berth to Euro 2020, with the Eastern Europeans now eight points clear of Portugal, who have two games to play.

Portugal now face Lithuania at home and Luxembourg away with Ronny going for his 100th international netbuster in the coming matches.

But he remains 14 short of Iran legend Ali Daei's 104 goals in 109 caps - albeit largely against inferior opponents.