Cristiano Ronaldo netted a surprising overhead kick aim as he powered Portugal to an enormous 5-1 win over visiting Poland to seal a Nations League quarter-final spot on Friday.
After a goal-less first half, Rafael Leao broke the impasse simply earlier than the hour with a header earlier than Ronaldo doubled the lead from the penalty spot within the 72nd minute with a assured strike down the center of the aim. Whereas Bruno Fernandes smashed within the third, Ronaldo arrange a decisive cross for Neto to attain throughout the inside put up.
The 39-year-old Ronaldo then capped off a fruitful outing, scoring his one hundred and thirty fifth worldwide aim, the 910th of his profession, with a chic end. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made essentially the most of a dipping cross from Vitinha earlier than beating goalkeeper Marcin Bulka with a close-range overhead kick.
Ronaldo doing Ronaldo issues 🚲🤤#UNLGOTR | @AlipayPlus | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/qvR0VLXekz
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 15, 2024
Portugal, who snapped Poland’s two-year unbeaten dwelling run once they received the reverse fixture in Warsaw 3-1 final month, had hassle taming the guests within the first half.
“The primary half was very dangerous for what we wished to do, we misplaced focus and acquired pissed off. However the second half was the most effective I’ve seen,” stated Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.
“We’ve modified the mentality and elevated the depth and mutual help. We didn’t let Poland play.”
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Poland 2024 (H)pic.twitter.com/jaVWeRZdDA
— Huz (@huzcw7l) November 15, 2024
Unbeaten Portugal prime the group with 13 factors, six forward of Croatia, who misplaced 1-0 away to a Scotland facet who’re nonetheless backside however now stage on 4 factors with third-placed Poland.
Poland had been with out their all-time prime scorer Robert Lewandowski, who’s sidelined with a again damage, however had been fast to create hazard and had three makes an attempt on course earlier than the break in comparison with none by the hosts. The 2019 winners Portugal, who dropped their first factors final outing once they had been held to a goalless attract Scotland on October 15, secured a fourth successive top-two end within the competitors.
– With Reuters inputs
