Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Portugal beat Poland 3-1 for his or her third straight Nations League win on Saturday, whereas European champions Spain ended Denmark’s excellent begin within the competitors.
Bernardo Silva volleyed Portugal forward within the twenty sixth minute in Warsaw as Bruno Fernandes cleverly nodded a cross from Ruben Neves again in direction of the Manchester Metropolis midfielder.
Ronaldo then discovered himself in the correct place on the proper time to show within the rebound for Portugal’s second after Rafael Leao’s shot got here again off the put up following a superb surging run by the AC Milan winger.
The 39-year-old Ronaldo has struck in all three video games of this Nations League marketing campaign for Portugal, taking his file males’s worldwide targets to 133.
Piotr Zielinski lower the deficit for Poland however Jan Bednarek’s personal purpose sealed victory for Portugal, the lone remaining group in League A with a 100 per cent file, and so they may safe a spot within the quarter-finals subsequent week.
“We labored very arduous the previous few days, getting ready numerous options for this sport, and we had been capable of present it on the pitch. I’m actually glad as a result of we managed this sport,” mentioned Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.
“We performed nice as a group.”
Portugal have a most 9 factors in Group A1, three forward of Croatia who beat Scotland 2-1 to sentence their opponents to a 3rd successive defeat within the part.
Ryan Christie’s first half-goal gave Scotland a shock lead in Zagreb, however Igor Matanovic equalised earlier than the interval and Andrej Kramaric bagged the winner halfway via the second half.
Che Adams thought he had salvaged a stoppage-time equaliser however VAR disallowed his effort for offside, with Scotland winless in 9 aggressive outings — the longest run of their historical past.
– Zubimendi wins it for Spain –
Spain wanted a 79th-minute effort from Martin Zubimendi to shrug off Denmark 1-0 in Murcia as captain Alvaro Morata confirmed off the European Championship trophy to followers earlier than kick-off.
The hosts had been with out Rodri and Dani Carvajal, each sidelined by long-term accidents, with first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon nonetheless recovering from wrist surgical procedure. Nico Williams, Dani Olmo and Robin Le Normand had additionally been dominated out.
However Luis de la Fuente’s group grabbed the one purpose when Zubimendi’s low drive from simply exterior the realm squirmed previous Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who had earlier denied Lamine Yamal and Alvaro Morata.
“I’m very pleased with the purpose, however above all in such an in depth sport wherein we needed to open the scoring,” mentioned Actual Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi.
“He doesn’t rating many however he’s beginning to so I hope he continues like this,” mentioned De la Fuente. “He’s among the best gamers on the planet in his place.”
Spain moved as much as seven factors, one above Denmark, with Serbia choosing up their first win after beating Switzerland 2-0 in Leskovac.
Serbia led via Nico Elvedi’s personal purpose in first-half stoppage time and Aleksandar Mitrovic doubled the benefit earlier than Predrag Rajkovic saved a penalty from Swiss striker Breel Embolo.
Each video games in Group C3 completed goalless as Bulgaria had been held at residence by Luxembourg and Northern Eire drew towards Belarus on impartial floor in Hungary.
Romania eased to a 3-0 win away to Cyprus in Group C2, whereas Kosovo beat Lithuania 2-1.
AFP