Cristiano Ronaldo got here off the bench to attain a late winner – the 901st objective of his unimaginable profession – to assist Portugal inflict extra Nations League distress on Scotland with a 2-1 win in Lisbon.
The 39-year-old striker was launched at half-time by coach Roberto Martinez and performed an enormous half in Portugal’s comeback as they hit again after falling behind to assert a deserved victory.
Scott McTominay shocked the house crowd by placing Scotland forward after seven minutes. Bruno Fernandes equalised 9 minutes into the second half and Ronaldo clinched the three factors for Portugal two minutes from full-time.
It was arduous luck on Scotland who batted bravely however the gulf in school was evident as Steve Clarke’s males suffered their second successive defeat in League A – Group 1 following their loss to Poland final week.
It was a primary half of pure frustration for Portugal, who fell behind early after which dominated.
Scotland scored from their first critical assault. The ball was recycled to Kenny McLean and his magnificent left-footed cross was excellent for Napoli new-boy McTominay to satisfy and energy a header previous Diogo Costa.
The principle menace from the house facet stemmed down their left facet and from Rafael Leao, specifically.
The Milan winger was too sturdy, too fast and too intelligent for Anthony Ralston however he was let down by his determination making.
After 9 minutes, Leao beat Ralston however then fired into the facet netting when he must have gone throughout Angus Gunn.
Gunn was known as into motion after 20 minutes, producing an excellent save at his close to submit to maintain out Leao’s whistling drive which appeared destined for the underside left-hand nook.
Leao then turned supplier, attending to the byline and reducing it again for Diogo Jota, just for the Liverpool ahead to shoot wastefully over the bar.
Jota did mange to get an effort on track shortly after the half-hour mark however his diving header, following a chipped go from Fernandes, was straightforward for Gunn to parry clear.
Nuno Mendes and Leao each got here shut earlier than the half drew to a detailed as Scotland clung on to their lead.
The final particular person they’d have wished to see come at half-time was Ronaldo, who netted his 900th profession objective in final week’s win over Croatia.
It needed to be him. It’s at all times him.
Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Scottish hearts late on 💔#PORSCO pic.twitter.com/srFJak0t8c
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) September 8, 2024
The Al-Nassr celebrity was influential from the off, including one other dimension to the hosts’ assault.
And the stress lastly advised after 54 minutes. Leao pulled the ball again to the sting of the realm the place Fernandes was lurking. His left-foot shot lacked venom however nonetheless discovered a well past Gunn and into the underside right-hand nook.
If the Norwich Metropolis goalkeeper was guilty for the equaliser, he did his utmost to stop Portugal grabbing a winner.
He positioned himself nicely to maintain out Joao Felix’s shot after a intelligent backheel from Ronaldo however saved his greatest for eight minutes from time.
First he flung himself to his left to maintain out Felix’s diving header with Ronaldo firing the rebound in opposition to the submit. Ronaldo then hit the woodwork once more seconds later with a header with Gunn reacting rapidly to palm the unfastened ball clear with the onrushing Felix poised to move into an empty web.
However there was little he might do when Portugal got here once more. Nuno Mendes whipped in an inviting cross from the left and Ronaldo bought forward of his marker to poke into the online.
FULL TIME: Portugal 2-1 Scotland.
The referee brings an finish to tonight’s contest in Lisbon.#PORSCO pic.twitter.com/AWiHxtqvB5
— Scotland Nationwide Group (@ScotlandNT) September 8, 2024
