Cristiano Ronaldo proved to be the hero once again, scoring a late winner to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Portugal against Scotland in the UEFA Nations League clash on Sunday.
The match, held at the iconic Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, saw Portugal come from behind after a tough battle with the resilient Tartan Army.
Scotland stunned the home crowd by taking an early lead through Scott McTominay. The midfielder, known for his well-timed runs into the box, found the net after just 15 minutes, finishing off a move that caught the Portuguese defence off guard.
The goal was a trademark finish from McTominay, who capitalised on Portugal’s defensive lapse to give Scotland a surprise 1-0 lead.
From that point on, Portugal took control of the match, dominating possession and piling on the pressure. Scotland, however, were determined to defend their narrow lead, with goalkeeper Angus Gunn and the defensive line keeping Portugal at bay.
The Tartan Army faced 16 shots in the first half, the most Scotland had defended in a single half since 2012. Despite the overwhelming pressure, Scotland went into the break with their lead intact.
In the second half, Portugal continued their relentless assault on the Scottish defence.
As the game wore on, Portugal introduced fresh legs, including the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who was brought on at half-time in a tactical move by coach Roberto Martinez. Ronaldo made an instant impact, becoming the focal point of Portugal’s attacks.
He came close to providing an assist and hit the post in the final 10 minutes, increasing the tension in the stadium.
With time running out and the match seemingly heading for a draw, Ronaldo struck once again. In the 90th minute, a well-placed cross from left-back Nuno Mendes found Ronaldo in the box, who tapped it in from close range to score his 901st career goal, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for Portugal.
The crowd erupted as Ronaldo once again showed why he remains one of the greatest players in football history.
Scotland fought bravely throughout the game, but their defensive resilience was eventually undone by the sheer weight of Portugal’s attacks.
For Portugal, the win keeps their UEFA Nations League campaign on track, while Scotland will be left to reflect on a spirited performance that nearly earned them a point against one of Europe’s top teams.
Manager Roberto Martinez’s tactical changes, including five second-half substitutions, played a key role in securing the win.
His decision to bring on Ronaldo, Ruben Neves, Joao Neves, Joao Felix, and Diogo Dalot injected energy and creativity into the side as they pushed for the late winner.
Despite the loss, Scotland’s efforts, particularly in defence, will give them confidence moving forward. However, their inability to maintain their lead highlights the challenge of competing against top-tier teams like Portugal.
Portugal and Scotland share a long football rivalry, and this latest encounter in the UEFA Nations League added another memorable chapter to their history