LISBON:
Cristiano Ronaldo secured a late victory for his team as they came from behind to defeat Scotland 2-1 in the Nations League on Sunday. Ronaldo, who netted his 901st career goal, scored the winner in the 88th minute after Bruno Fernandes had equalised for Portugal. The win maintained Portugal’s strong start in League A Group 1.
Scotland had initially shocked the hosts by taking the lead in the seventh minute through Scott McTominay’s powerful header. The goal, assisted by Kenny McLean’s pinpoint cross, gave Scotland hope of securing their first win against Portugal since 1980. However, despite a valiant effort, the Scots were left empty-handed as 39-year-old Ronaldo once again delivered for his country.
Bruno Fernandes, who was making his 600th career appearance, praised Ronaldo’s influence on the game. “The influence is always the same, whether he starts on the bench or not,” Fernandes said of his former Manchester United teammate. “Everyone who came on made a difference. Cristiano scored his 901st goal today, and now he’s aiming for 1,000, which is what he wants.”
Portugal now lead League A Group 1 with six points, having also beaten Croatia in their opening match. Croatia are second in the group with three points after a 1-0 win against Poland on Sunday, while Scotland remain winless after two late-goal defeats.
Scotland had entered the match still reeling from a 3-2 home defeat to Poland, but their travelling supporters were in full voice at the Estadio da Luz following McTominay’s early goal. Despite Portugal’s relentless attacks, Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn produced a string of impressive saves, including a world-class stop from Rafael Leao’s low shot. The hosts had 15 attempts on goal before half-time but were repeatedly frustrated by Scotland’s determined defence.
However, Gunn was finally beaten in the 54th minute when Fernandes fired in a shot that, although well-struck, could have been saved by the Scottish keeper. Portugal appeared to lose momentum as the match progressed, but they found a late burst of energy. Joao Felix was twice denied by Gunn, and Ronaldo struck the post with a header.
In the end, Ronaldo capitalised on a precise delivery from Nuno Mendes to score a simple tap-in, securing the win for Portugal. The defeat extended Scotland’s winless streak in competitive matches to eight and marked another instance of conceding a late goal – their fifth in six games.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke expressed his disappointment, saying, “It looked for a long period that we’d get something from the game. The effort and quality the players showed deserved more.”