Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 901st career goal with a dramatic late strike to secure Portugal’s 2-1 win over Scotland in their Nations League match on Sunday. The goal came just two minutes before the final whistle, capping a remarkable fightback and ensuring Portugal’s second consecutive victory in Nations League Group A1.
Ronaldo, who had reached his 900th career goal with a 131st international strike in Thursday’s win over Croatia, continued his extraordinary form as he came off the bench to lift Portugal to victory at the Estádio da Luz. The 39-year-old’s decisive moment prompted an outpouring of appreciation from the home crowd, with chants of his name echoing around the stadium.
Scotland took an unexpected lead in the seventh minute when Kenny McLean’s precise cross found Scott McTominay. McTominay, who recently transferred from Manchester United to Napoli, met the ball with a well-timed header to beat Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa from close range. This goal marked McTominay’s 10th in his last 12 competitive appearances for Scotland.
Portugal’s response was immediate. Rafael Leão, showing his attacking prowess, had a shot deflected into the side-netting and then saw his powerful drive pushed away by Scotland’s Angus Gunn. Portugal’s pressure continued, with Antonio Silva and Diogo Jota both coming close to equalizing.
The equalizing goal came from Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who marked his 30th birthday with a crucial strike. In the 53rd minute, Fernandes unleashed a 25-yard shot that slipped through Gunn’s grasp, bringing the score level at 1-1. The goal came after Ronaldo’s inventive backheel set up Joao Felix, who was denied by Gunn’s impressive save.
As the match progressed, Ronaldo was instrumental in pushing for a winner. His efforts included a close-range header that was initially cleared off the line by Gunn and a rebound that struck the post. Despite these near misses, Ronaldo remained a constant threat.
The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute when Nuno Mendes delivered a precise cross into the six-yard box. Ronaldo, ever the predator, was in the right place at the right time to tap in the winning goal and secure all three points for Portugal.
The victory solidifies Portugal’s position in the Nations League and highlights Ronaldo’s continued influence on the international stage. For Scotland, the defeat compounds their recent struggles, having lost six of their nine matches in 2024. Their solitary win this year came in a friendly against Gibraltar.
Portugal’s manager, Roberto Martinez, who has personal ties to Scotland through his wife Beth and his past with Motherwell, humorously acknowledged the mixed feelings about the result. The win, however, serves as a significant boost for Martinez and his squad as they look to maintain their strong performance in the Nations League.
