Cristiano Ronaldo stole the show with a double strike as Portugal demolished Poland 5-1 in the UEFA Nations League, securing a quarter-final spot.
Poland, minus captain Robert Lewandowski, held firm until the 59th minute when Rafael Liao broke the deadlock, assisted by Nuno Mendez. Ronaldo then took center stage, converting a penalty in the 72nd minute after the ball touched a Polish defender in the box.
Bruno Fernandez added to Portugal’s tally with a stunning 20-yard bullet shot, his recent goal-scoring form continuing. Pedro Neto made it 4-0, with Ronaldo providing the assist.
VAMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS! 🤩🇵🇹#PartilhaAPaixão | #NationsLeague https://t.co/YLYTtL0nId
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) November 15, 2024
Ronaldo’s mesmerizing bicycle kick from Vitinha’s cross in the 87th minute sealed his second goal and Portugal’s fifth. Dominik Markczuk scored a consolation goal for Poland in the final minutes.
Portugal’s dominant display showcased their attacking prowess, with Ronaldo leading by example. His impressive performance at 37 years old left fans in awe.
In other matches, Spain edged Denmark 2-1, while Scotland fell to Croatia despite the latter being reduced to 10 men following a red card.
Ronaldo’s double strike came within 24 hours of Lionel Messi’s scoreless outing for Argentina, highlighting the ongoing rivalry between the two football legends.
Portugal’s victory solidified their position in the quarter-finals, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the UEFA Nations League. With Ronaldo in top form, Portugal will be a force to be reckoned with in the competition.
