Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal staged a second-half supershow to crush Poland 5-1 and attain the Nations League quarter-finals on Friday.
Portugal be a part of France, Germany, Italy and Spain within the last-eight whereas Poland’s hopes of going by means of from Group A1 had been ended.
Having struggled to plant a shot heading in the right direction within the first half, Portugal stepped on the accelerator after the break.
Rafael Leao broke the impasse in Porto simply earlier than the hour mark after beginning and ending the transfer.
The AC Milan striker raced away and handed to Nuno Mendes whose cross from the left was headed powerfully previous Marcin Bulka within the Portugal aim.
13 minutes later, skipper Ronaldo acquired his identify on the scoresheet, changing a penalty after Jakub Kiwior was penalised for a handball within the space.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 within the eightieth minute, scoring after a intelligent run by Vitinha.
Pedro Neto added the fourth three minutes later after Ronaldo’s high quality cross which left the Polish defence stranded.
As Polish spirits sank, Ronaldo added his second and Portugal’s fifth within the 87th minute with a spectacular overhead kick earlier than Dominik Marczuk tucked away a comfort aim for the guests.
Poland had loved the higher possibilities earlier than falling behind however their efficiency in entrance of aim was blunted by the absence of report goal-scorer Robert Lewandowski who was sidelined with a again damage.
Moments earlier than Leao’s aim, Portuguese keeper Diogo Costa pulled off a high quality save to disclaim Marczuk having additionally been alert to disclaim Nicola Zalewski within the first half.
Portugal’s finest probability within the first 45 minutes had fallen to Ronaldo who fired a close-range effort over the bar from shut vary.
AFP
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