Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to score a late winner – the 901st goal of his incredible career – to help Portugal inflict more Nations League misery on Scotland with a 2-1 win in Lisbon.
The 39-year-old striker was introduced at half-time by coach Roberto Martinez and played a huge part in Portugal’s comeback as they hit back after falling behind to claim a deserved victory.
Scott McTominay stunned the home crowd by putting Scotland ahead after seven minutes. Bruno Fernandes equalised nine minutes into the second half and Ronaldo clinched the three points for Portugal two minutes from full-time.
It was hard luck on Scotland who batted bravely but the gulf in class was evident as Steve Clarke’s men suffered their second successive 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 and then dominated.
Scotland scored from their first serious attack. The ball was recycled to Kenny McLean and his magnificent left-footed cross was perfect for Napoli new-boy McTominay to meet and power a header past Diogo Costa.
The main threat from the home side stemmed down their left side and from Rafael Leao, in particular.
The Milan winger was too strong, too quick and too clever for Anthony Ralston but he was let down by his decision making.
After nine minutes, Leao beat Ralston but then fired into the side netting when he ought to have gone across Angus Gunn.
Gunn was called into action after 20 minutes, producing a superb save at his near post to keep out Leao’s whistling drive which seemed destined for the bottom left-hand corner.
Leao then turned provider, getting to the byline and cutting it back for Diogo Jota, only for the Liverpool forward to shoot wastefully over the bar.
Jota did mange to get an effort on target shortly after the half-hour mark but his diving header, following a chipped pass from Fernandes, was easy for Gunn to parry clear.
Nuno Mendes and Leao both came close before the half drew to a close as Scotland clung on to their lead.
The last person they would have wanted to see come at half-time was Ronaldo, who netted his 900th career goal in last week’s win over Croatia.
It had to be him. It’s always him.
Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Scottish hearts late on 💔#PORSCO pic.twitter.com/srFJak0t8c
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 8, 2024
The Al-Nassr superstar was influential from the off, 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 lurking. His left-foot shot lacked venom but still found a way past Gunn and into the bottom right-hand corner.
If the Norwich City goalkeeper was to blame for the equaliser, he did his utmost to prevent Portugal grabbing a winner.
He positioned himself well to keep out Joao Felix’s shot after a clever backheel from Ronaldo but saved his best for eight minutes from time.
First he flung himself to his left to keep out Felix’s diving header with Ronaldo firing the rebound against the post. Ronaldo then hit the woodwork again seconds later with a header with Gunn reacting quickly to palm the loose ball clear with the onrushing Felix poised to head into an empty net.
But there was little he could do when Portugal came again. Nuno Mendes whipped in an inviting cross from the left and Ronaldo got ahead of his marker to poke into the net.
FULL TIME: Portugal 2-1 Scotland.
The referee brings an end to tonight’s contest in Lisbon.#PORSCO pic.twitter.com/AWiHxtqvB5
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 8, 2024
