Ronaldo, don’t finish! Cristiano was left on the bench, but he came on and scored the winning goal! Video
Anatoly Romanov September 9, 2024, 00:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Portugal lost first place to Scotland in the Nations League. And in the end I took the three points thanks to the captain.
Portugal has two wins in two rounds of the Nations League. The match against Scotland in Lisbon was not trivial.
Cristiano Ronaldo was not included in the starting lineup of the Portuguese national team. This happened for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, if you do not take into account the matches that the top scorer in the history of the national team missed for one reason or another. But if at the World Cup Ronaldo was offended by coach Fernando Santos for such a decision, then the striker probably discussed the issue of rotation in the Nations League with Roberto Martinez in advance. At 39, it is necessary to distribute the load more carefully. Zhota appeared in the first line of the home team’s attack in a 4-3-3 formation.
Portugal had the ball and Scotland scored an early goal! With the first shot in the seventh minute. Steve Clarke’s side created several dangerous set pieces and then, after a cross from the left flank, McTominay, lost to the home defenders, had the chance to head in from the goal line. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa could only throw up his hands: how can you leave your opponent in front of goal like that?
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However, the Portuguese played quite well without Ronaldo. In segments, simply great. They quickly combined and found free space. Although the Scots, with the score at 1:0, placed a bus with steamed-up windows in front of their penalty area. While Martinez’s team usually filled the right flank with a group of players and tried to open it up with passes, on the left they often created isolation for Leau. The Milan winger was covered with the carpet, but again and again he created scoring chances thanks to his dribbling and speed.
In the first half, Leau could have scored several times: goalkeeper Gunn made the best save by dragging a difficult ball past the low shot just under the post. On several occasions, teammates had to separate themselves from the left-back’s passes. Celtic defender Ralston could not keep up with Leao. But Scotland were very lucky. Moreover, the Portuguese, even in the absence of Ronaldo, actively loaded the penalty area with crosses: 19 passes in 45 minutes, three of them accurate. At half-time, Martinez’s team had a prohibitive advantage in shots: 16:1. It is impossible to explain why Portugal did not score.
How Cristiano scored his 900th goal:
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As Portugal were unable to score, the Spanish coach threw Ronaldo into the fight at half-time. Things were already getting tough for the Scots, and the goalscorer came out wearing the captain’s armband. “You’re the only one missing here,” British centre-backs Hanley and McKenna must have thought. It wasn’t enough. With Ronaldo on the pitch, the home side scored an early goal in the second half. True, without the striker’s direct involvement. Manchester United midfielder Fernandes, who turned 30 that day, celebrated his birthday with a stunning strike: he fired a great shot into the bottom corner from outside the box. He was assisted by Leau.
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After conceding a goal, the Scots raised their heads. Clark’s team now has counterplay and football has become more or less open. The visitors claimed two penalties in just a few minutes. In one episode, Gilmour fell in the area after a duel with Ruben Neves, in another, the ball hit Mendes’ hand from Antonio Silva’s chest. The referees, led by the Italian Mariani, in both cases made, perhaps, the right decision not to award a penalty. At least Mariani knew how to “swim” in those moments. Shortly before, the referee was injured in a violent clash with one of the Scottish players, so he had to apply ice to his head.
The Portuguese, although they recovered, lost the gallant football they had in the first half for a long time. It is difficult to say what this was mainly due to: a change in the scoreline, fatigue or the game with Ronaldo. Martinez’s team had fewer chances and shots. But a quarter of an hour before the end, they came up with a brilliant combination, which was completed by a subtle backheel pass from Cristiano to Felix. Ronaldo did everything he could to set up his teammate, but Gunn extended his leg and stopped the ball from going into the goal. Then the home side’s powerful run continued with new waves of attacks: Ronaldo hit the post twice! With a shot and a header after a cross.
It looked like it wasn’t going to be Cristiano’s day. However, thanks to a strong finish, the Portuguese team still put the pressure on the Scots. Mendes scored the winning goal with a pass and a cross, and Ronaldo, released by McKenna, knew where the ball would land and waited for the prey in the goalkeeper’s area.
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The Portuguese secured a decisive victory, despite goalkeeper Gunn playing for man-of-the-match honors.
