Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, including a brilliant bicycle kick, as Portugal booked their spot in the Nations League quarter-finals with a 5-1 thrashing of Poland tonight.
The 39-year-old netted his 134th and 135th international goals as the visitors were brushed aside after a goalless first half.
Indeed, it took 59 minutes for Roberto Martinez’s men to find the breakthrough, Rafael Leao nodding in Nuno Mendes’ left-wing cross just after Diogo Costa had made a brilliant save to deny Dominik Marczuk at the other end.
Ronaldo got his first of the night from the spot to make it 2-0 before a blistering strike from Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes added to Poland’s misery.
There was still time for Pedro Neto to add a fourth from a Ronaldo pass and the Al Nassr striker saved the best till last by acrobatically converting Vitinha’s cross with three minutes to go.
Marczuk pulled one back but it was scant consolation for a Poland side who must avoid defeat to Scotland on Monday if they wish to remain in League A.
RONALDO BICYCLE KICK 🚨#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/WTi0TzDGNO
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 15, 2024
Scots still alive
Bottom spot in the group is still up for grabs after John McGinn came off the bench to net a late winner for Steve Clarke’s men as they beat Croatia 1-0 at Hampden Park.
Despite the defeat, which saw Petar Sucic sent off just before half-time, Croatia will be guaranteed second if they avoid defeat against Portugal or Scotland do not beat Poland.
If that happens, they will join Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Spain in reaching the last eight.
Spain see off Danes
Spain had already qualified but still enjoyed a 2-1 win in Denmark tonight.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Ayoze Perez put the European champions in control although they had to hold on when Gustav Isaksen, who had earlier hit the woodwork, halved the deficit with six minutes to go.
Switzerland remain bottom of the group, A4, after Aleksa Terzic’s late goal gave Serbia a 1-1 draw in Zurich.
Aleksandar Mitrovic saw a penalty saved by home goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and Switzerland then went ahead through Zeki Amdouni before Terzic struck with two minutes to go.
Controversy in Romania
In Group C3, there were wins for Northern Ireland, who beat Belarus 2-0, and Bulgaria, who edged to a 1-0 win in Luxembourg.
In C2, Cyprus beat Lithuania 2-1 while the game between Romania and Kosovo was abandoned late on when the Kosovan players walked off the field in protest at chants of “Serbia” from the home fans.
San Marino and Gibraltar drew 1-1 in D1.
