Cristiano Ronaldo’s late goal secured Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Scotland in Sunday’s Nations League clash, marking the 901st goal of his remarkable career and completing a dramatic comeback.
Ronaldo, who had reached 900 career goals with his 131st international strike during Thursday’s win against Croatia, showed no signs of slowing down at 39 years old. Coming off the bench, he lifted Portugal to their second consecutive win in Nations League Group A1.
The Estadio da Luz in Lisbon erupted as the Al-Nassr forward found the back of the net with just two minutes remaining. Earlier, Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes had equalized in the second half on his 30th birthday, after his former teammate Scott McTominay gave Scotland an unexpected early lead.
For Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, the victory over Scotland may lead to some tense moments at his next family gathering. Having met his wife, Beth, while playing for Scottish club Motherwell in 2001, Martinez had joked before the match that he would be happy to upset his father-in-law by defeating Scotland. He succeeded, leaving Scotland still searching for their first win over Portugal.
After a 3-2 loss to Poland at Hampden Park on Thursday, Scotland has now won just one of their last 14 matches, a streak that includes their disappointing failure to advance from the group stage at Euro 2024.
Steve Clarke’s team has lost six of their nine matches in 2024, with their only win coming in a friendly against Gibraltar in June. Clarke expressed disappointment for his players, believing they deserved something from the game, but acknowledged the risk when facing a team that can bring on high-quality substitutes like Portugal.
Ronaldo’s Late Heroics
Scotland stunned Portugal with an early lead in the seventh minute when Kenny McLean’s precise cross found Scott McTominay, who timed his run perfectly to head past Diogo Costa from six yards out. McTominay, who recently transferred from Manchester United to Napoli, has now scored 10 goals in his last 12 competitive matches for Scotland.
Rafael Leao almost equalized immediately with a powerful run, but his shot hit the side-netting. Leao came even closer when he cut in from the left and unleashed a fierce shot that Angus Gunn saved with a full-stretch dive. Antonio Silva then missed a chance created by Leao, heading over from the AC Milan star’s chipped cross.
As Portugal’s pressure intensified, Gunn made an excellent save after Diogo Jota connected with Bruno Fernandes’s precise pass.
Cristiano Ronaldo was introduced at halftime, and his presence immediately lifted Portugal. In the 53rd minute, Fernandes struck from 25 yards out, and although it looked like a routine save, Gunn let the ball slip into the net.
Ronaldo’s clever backheel set up Joao Felix for a shot, but Gunn redeemed himself with a fine stop. Gunn then denied Felix again, this time from a diving header, before Ronaldo’s rebound hit the post.
Portugal kept up the pressure, and in the next attack, Ronaldo’s header hit the post and was barely cleared off the line by Gunn. However, Portugal finally found the winner in the 88th minute when Nuno Mendes sent a cross into the six-yard box, where Ronaldo was perfectly positioned to tap in the decisive goal.
