Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to score a late winner – the 901st goal of his illustrious career – to help Portugal inflict Nations League misery on Scotland with a 2-1 victory in Lisbon.
The 39-year-old forward was introduced at half-time by coach Roberto Martinez and played a major role in Portugal’s comeback as they bounced back in search of a well-deserved victory.
Scott McTominay stunned the home crowd by putting Scotland ahead after seven minutes. Bruno Fernandes equalized nine minutes into the second half and Ronaldo scored three points for Portugal with two minutes left in the game.
It was fortunate for Scotland who struck bravely but the gap in class was evident as Steve Clarke’s men suffered their second straight defeat in League A – Group 1 following their loss to Poland last week.
It was a first half of pure frustration for Portugal, who fell behind early on and dominated.
Scotland scored in their first tough game. The ball was worked back into Kenny McLean and his brilliant left-footed cross was ready for Napoli new boy McTominay to meet and power a header past Diogo Costa.
The biggest threat from the home side comes from their left flank and Rafael Leao, in particular.
The Milan midfielder was stronger, faster and smarter than Anthony Ralston but he was let down by his decision-making.
After nine minutes, Leao beat Ralston but fired into the side netting when he should have gone past Angus Gunn.
Gunn was called into action after 20 minutes, making a superb save from his near post to keep out Leao on a whistle that looked destined for the far left.
Leao then turned provider, got to the line and passed it back to Diogo Jota, only for the Liverpool striker to shoot wastefully over the bar.
Jota tried to find a goal after half an hour but his diving header, following a sharp pass from Fernandes, was easy for Gunn to clear.
Nuno Mendes and Leao both went close before half-time as Scotland held on to the lead.
The last person they would want to see come the break is Ronaldo, who netted his 900th goal in the win over Croatia last week.
It had to be him. It’s always him.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke Scottish hearts late 💔#PORSCO pic.twitter.com/srFJak0t8c
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 8, 2024
The Al-Nassr star was influential from the start, adding another dimension to the hosts’ attack.
And the pressure finally told after 54 minutes. Leao pulled the ball back to the edge of the area where Fernandes was hiding. His left-footed shot was ineffective but found its way past Gunn and into the bottom right corner.
If the Norwich City goalkeeper was the one who should have scored the equalizing goal, he did everything possible to prevent Portugal from grabbing the winner.
He was well placed to block Joao Felix’s cross after a brilliant through ball from Ronaldo but he made the best save eight minutes from time.
He first threw himself to the left to block Felix’s diving header while Ronaldo shot another ball against the post. Ronaldo then hit the woodwork and moments later with a header Gunn reacted quickly to cover the loose ball when the onrushing Felix was ready to net an empty net.
But there was little he could do when Portugal came back again. Nuno Mendes hit an inviting cross from the left and Ronaldo got in front of his marker and slotted into the net.
FULL TIME: Portugal 2-1 Scotland.
The referee brought the conclusion to tonight’s tournament in Lisbon.#PORSCO pic.twitter.com/AWiHxtqvB5
– Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 8, 2024
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