Portugal substitute Cristiano Ronaldo struck a late winner as his aspect got here from a objective all the way down to beat Scotland 2-1 and proceed their sturdy begin to the Nations League on Sunday.
After Bruno Fernandes had fired in Portugal’s equaliser, Ronaldo pounced within the 88th minute for his 901st profession objective.
Scotland got hope of a primary win towards Portugal since 1980 as they took a shock lead via Scott McTominay‘s bullet header within the seventh minute.
However the guests ended up with nothing to point out for his or her efforts as 39-year-old Ronaldo once more delivered for his nation.
“The affect is all the time the identical, no matter whether or not he begins on the bench or not,” Fernandes, who performed his 600th profession recreation, mentioned of his former Manchester United teammate.
“Everybody who got here on made the distinction. Cristiano has a objective, immediately he scored 901 and now he is on his option to a thousand, which is what he needs.”
Portugal lead League A Group 1 with six factors after they began with a victory over Croatia, who’re second on three following a 1-0 win towards Poland on Sunday. Scotland have suffered two defeats, each of them to late objectives.
The Scots arrived in Lisbon nonetheless stinging from a 3-2 residence defeat by Poland however the travelling Tartan Military have been quickly in full voice within the Estadio da Luz as former Manchester United midfielder McTominay arrived on the again publish to energy residence an excellent cross by Kenny McLean.
Portugal responded to put siege to Scotland’s objective however keeper Angus Gunn made a string of saves, one a world class effort to maintain out Rafael Leão‘s low drive.
The hosts had 15 objective makes an attempt earlier than the break, however have been left pissed off as Scotland dug deep to guard their lead.
Gunn was overwhelmed within the 54th minute although because the ball was pulled again to Fernandes whose shot was well-struck however in all probability ought to have been saved out by the Scotland keeper.
Portugal appeared to have run out of steam, however discovered one other gear late on with João Félix twice being denied by very good Gunn saves and Ronaldo heading towards the within of the publish.
Inevitably, nevertheless, Ronaldo stole the limelight with a easy tap-in from a depraved supply by Nuno Mendes.
Scotland appeared crestfallen as they soaked up one other late disappointment in a winless run of eight aggressive matches.
What’s extra they’ve conceded within the eighty fifth minute or later in 5 of their final six video games in all competitions.
“Clearly dissatisfied — it appeared for a protracted interval that we might get one thing from the sport,” Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke mentioned. “The trouble and the standard the gamers put in, they deserved to get one thing.”