Ronaldo’s brilliance secures Nations League quarter-final spot for Portugal
PORTO, Portugal: Portugal stormed into the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Poland in Group A1 on Friday. Cristiano Ronaldo shone with a second-half brace, including a penalty and a stunning overhead kick, to help the hosts secure the top spot in the group.
After a goalless first half, Rafael Leão opened the scoring in the 59th minute with a precise header. Ronaldo doubled the lead in the 72nd minute, confidently converting a penalty down the middle. Portugal then turned on the style, adding three goals in eight minutes. Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto found the net before Ronaldo capped the display with an acrobatic finish. Dominik Marczuk scored a late consolation for Poland in the 88th minute.
Speaking about the performance, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said:
“The first half was very bad for what we wanted to do, we lost focus and got frustrated. But the second half was the best I’ve seen. We’ve changed the mentality and increased the intensity and mutual support. We didn’t let Poland play.”
The victory keeps Portugal unbeaten, topping Group A1 with 13 points, six ahead of second-placed Croatia. Meanwhile, Scotland’s 1-0 win over Croatia lifts them off the bottom, as they join Poland on four points.
