Ronaldo strikes late to seal Portugal win over Scotland. He scored his 131st international goal in Thursday’s victory over Croatia, bringing his career total to 900.
The 39-year-old exhibited no indications of being satisfied by that extraordinary milestone as he emerged from the bench to propel Portugal to their second consecutive victory in Nations League Group A1.
The Al-Nassr forward’s name was chanted in unison at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon after he scored with two minutes remaining. Bruno Fernandes, a Manchester United midfielder, scored Portugal’s second-half equalizer on his 30th birthday.
This came after his former Old Trafford teammate Scott McTominay had given Scotland an unexpected early lead. Roberto Martinez, the manager of Portugal, may experience uneasy silences at his subsequent family gathering in the event that his team wins against Scotland.
Martinez met his wife Beth while playing for Scottish club Motherwell in 2001. Prior to the match, he quipped that he would be thrilled to upset his father-in-law by defeating Scotland. He succeeded in doing so, thereby ensuring that Scotland remains without their initial victory over Portugal.
Scotland has only achieved one victory in 14 matches, a streak that encompassed their unsuccessful attempt to advance beyond the group stage at Euro 2024.
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On Thursday, they were defeated 3-2 by Poland at Hampden Park. In 2024, Steve Clarke’s team has suffered defeats in six of their nine matches, with their sole triumph occurring in a friendly match against Gibraltar in June.
Scotland unexpectedly grabbed the lead when Kenny McLean’s exceptional cross found McTominay, who made a perfectly-timed run to plant his stooping header past Diogo Costa from six yards.
McTominay, who moved from Manchester United to Napoli recently, has scored 10 goals in his most recent 12 competitive matches for Scotland.
Rafael Leao attempted to score an instantaneous equalizer with a driving run; however, his shot caused a ripple in the side netting. Leao advanced even further by cutting in from the left flank, executing a powerful drive that Angus Gunn was unable to repel at full extension.
Leao’s dinked cross was missed by Antonio Silva, who failed to capitalize on the opportunity. After Diogo Jota connected with Fernandes’s incisive pass, Gunn made a magnificent save as the Portugal pressure mounted.
Ronaldo’s inclusion in the second half was anticipated, and Portugal’s performance was immediately enhanced by his presence. In the 53rd minute, Fernandes fired a 25-yard blast from long range that should have been a routine save for Gunn.
However, his inadequate attempt to save the ball enabled it to squirm into the net. Ronaldo’s daring backheel provided Joao Felix with an opportunity to score, but Gunn was able to rectify his previous error with an exceptional save.
Gunn once more saved from Felix’s diving header, and Ronaldo then directed the rebound against the post. Ronaldo was certain that he had secured the victory; however, his swerving header struck the post and was cleared off the line by Gunn before Felix could convert.
In the 88th minute, Portugal’s late assault ultimately resulted in the game-winning goal. Nuno Mendes sent a cross into the six-yard box, where Ronaldo was anticipating the opportunity to administer the decisive blow with a typical predatory tap-in.