Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a stunning performance, scoring twice as Portugal cruised to a commanding 5-1 victory over Poland, showcasing a dominant display in the second half of their Nations League clash on Friday, November 15, 2024. This impressive win secured Portugal’s advancement to the quarter-finals, while Spain, who had already qualified, achieved victory over Denmark to maintain their strong form.
Under the guidance of Roberto Martinez, Portugal solidified their position at the top of Group A1, clinching the premier spot with a match still left in the group stage, thus confirming their progression to the knockout round set for March 2025.
France, Germany, and Italy also celebrated their progression to the last eight, echoing Portugal’s successful journey so far in the tournament.
Despite Poland’s promising start and early pressure, they were unable to convert their chances into goals at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. Portugal capitalized on this missed opportunity, netting an astonishing four goals in the final 20 minutes of the game.
“We couldn’t impose ourselves on the game in the first half,” acknowledged Portugal forward Rafael Leao, reflecting on the team’s initial struggles. “(Coach) Roberto Martínez’s approach in the locker room was important; it was the key to changing the pressure at halftime.” Prior to the break, Ronaldo attempted to volley the ball home from close range but missed the target, as Portugal ended the first half without a single shot on goal.
In a pivotal moment, Dominik Marczuk nearly opened the scoring in the 58th minute, but Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa showcased his skills with an outstanding fingertip save that thwarted the Polish effort. The subsequent corner kick marked a turning point, as Portugal broke swiftly, with Leao charging forward and locating Nuno Mendes. Leao then met Mendes’ cross with a powerful header, sending the ball into the net.
Portugal earned a penalty when Diogo Dalot’s shot struck Jakub Kiwior’s hand at close range, only for the attempt to be initially saved by Marcin Bulka. Nevertheless, Ronaldo stepped up confidently, executing a cheeky ‘Panenka’ penalty that added to Portugal’s growing lead, effectively extinguishing Poland’s hopes of a comeback.
Bruno Fernandes extended Portugal’s advantage with just 10 minutes remaining on the clock, unleashing a fierce shot that crashed off the crossbar and into the back of the net from the edge of the box. Pedro Neto capped off a successful match for the home side, meeting a precise pass from Ronaldo and firing the ball past Bulka at the near post.
Ronaldo wasn’t finished there; he added a second goal to his tally in the 87th minute, acrobatically volleying home Vitinha’s cross from a close distance, marking his remarkable milestone of 135 international goals. Although Marczuk netted a consolation goal for Poland, their fate in the tournament was sealed, and they now face the prospect of relegation if they succumb to Scotland in the next match.
In another decisive match within the group, Scotland delivered a crucial boost to their chances of avoiding relegation, as John McGinn found the net with a late winner, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a depleted Croatia side that had Petar Sucic sent off in the first half. Croatia, fighting for a point to qualify alongside Portugal, nearly held on until McGinn’s timely strike in the 86th minute changed the course of the game.
Spain roll on
European champions Spain continued their unbeaten streak in Group A4, clinching a 2-1 victory against Denmark in Copenhagen. Luis de la Fuente’s squad displayed impressive form, coming close to scoring in the 13th minute when the in-form Ayoze Perez struck the crossbar.
Spain capitalized on a defensive lapse by Denmark, taking an early lead after the Danish side carelessly surrendered possession near their own penalty area. Perez cleverly played in Mikel Oyarzabal, who showcased composure to meander past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and slot the ball in at the near post.
Perez, who recently made his international debut in June, increased Spain’s lead with a low, left-footed shot that found its way into the bottom corner after receiving a well-placed pass from Dani Olmo. Gustav Isaksen managed to pull one back for Denmark late in the game, reacting quickly to capitalize on a communication breakdown between Fabian Ruiz and goalkeeper David Raya.
“A very, very happy night for me (with a goal and an assist), but the most important thing is going through top of the group,” said Perez to UEFA, clearly pleased with his contributions to the team’s success.
The other fixture in Group A4 resulted in Switzerland’s relegation following Aleksa Terzic’s late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Serbia, sealing Switzerland’s fate in the competition.
In Bucharest, Romania’s Group C2 match against Kosovo faced an unexpected turn when play was suspended in injury time and the game was ultimately abandoned, remaining goalless after the Kosovo players walked off the pitch due to offensive chants from home fans. “The UEFA Nations League match between Romania and Kosovo has been abandoned. UEFA will communicate further information in due course,” stated the governing body UEFA on its official website.
In League D, San Marino kept their unlikely promotion hopes alive, as Nicola Nanni struck a last-minute penalty to secure a 1-1 draw against Gibraltar.
Published – November 17, 2024 02:53 am IST
What was the turning point in the match against Poland, according to Rafael Leao?
**Interview with Rafael Leao: Portugal’s Star Forward Reflects on the Victory Over Poland**
**Editor:** Rafael, thank you for joining us today. What an incredible match against Poland! Can you take us through the turning point in the game?
**Rafael Leao:** Thank you for having me! Yes, it was a thrilling game. In the first half, we struggled to find our rhythm; we didn’t impose ourselves and failed to create any real chances. But during halftime, Coach Roberto Martínez gave us some crucial insights and adjustments. That really changed the pressure and mindset for the second half.
**Editor:** You specifically mentioned the improvements at halftime. What exactly did the coach say that lifted the team’s spirits?
**Rafael Leao:** He emphasized the importance of staying composed and focusing on our game plan. He reminded us that we had the talent to turn it around, and that we needed to be more aggressive and take our chances. That really fired us up coming out of the locker room.
**Editor:** In the second half, you played a key role in opening the scoring with a powerful header. What was going through your mind when you scored?
**Rafael Leao:** It was a fantastic feeling! I received a great cross from Nuno Mendes, and I just focused on making solid contact. Scoring early in the half was crucial; it boosted our confidence and set the tone for the rest of the game.
**Editor:** Cristiano Ronaldo also had a standout performance that day. How does his presence on the pitch influence the team’s dynamic?
**Rafael Leao:** Ronaldo is a legend; his experience and confidence are infectious. Even when things weren’t going our way, he remained composed and focused. His penalty and the goals he scored not only contributed to the scoreboard but also lifted everyone’s morale. We all look up to him.
**Editor:** With this victory, Portugal has secured its place in the quarter-finals. What are your thoughts moving forward into the knockout stages?
**Rafael Leao:** We’re excited, but we know that the competition will only get tougher. Each match is a new challenge. We need to keep building on this momentum and continue working hard in training. Our goal is to win the tournament, and we have to stay focused to achieve that.
**Editor:** Lastly, what do you think Portugal needs to improve as they prepare for the next round?
**Rafael Leao:** I think we need to perform better from the start. Today, we really came alive in the second half, but we can’t rely on that in the knockout stages. We must be vigilant and assertive from the first whistle. If we can combine that with our attacking prowess, we’ll be a tough team to beat.
**Editor:** Great insights, Rafael! Thank you for chatting with us today, and best of luck in the upcoming matches.
**Rafael Leao:** Thank you! I appreciate it.
