Recrod-breaking Cristiano Ronaldo was heading in the right direction in Portugal’s 3-1 victory over Poland, their third consecutive Nations League win, whereas Spain ended Denmark’s flawless run within the competitors on Saturday.
Bernardo Silva volleyed Portugal forward within the twenty sixth minute in Warsaw as Bruno Fernandes cleverly nodded a cross from Ruben Neves again in the direction of the Manchester City midfielder.
Ronaldo then discovered himself in the appropriate place on the proper time to show within the rebound for Portugal’s second after Rafael Leao’s shot got here again off the publish following a superb surging run by the AC Milan winger.
The 39-year-old Ronaldo has now struck in all three video games of this Nations League marketing campaign for Portugal, taking his report males’s worldwide objectives tally to 133.
Piotr Zielinski minimize the deficit for Poland however Jan Bednarek’s personal aim sealed victory for Portugal, the lone remaining staff in League A with a 100% report, they usually may safe a spot within the quarterfinals subsequent week.
“We worked very hard the last few days, preparing various solutions for this game, and we were able to show it on the pitch. I am really satisfied because we controlled this game,” stated Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.
“We played great as a team.”
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 equalized earlier than the interval and Andrej Kramaric bagged the winner halfway via the second half.
Che Adams thought he had salvaged a stoppage-time equalizer however the video assistant referee (VAR) disallowed his effort for offside with Scotland winless in 9 aggressive outings – the longest run of their historical past.
Spain finish Danes’ run
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 have 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.
But Luis de la Fuente’s staff grabbed the one aim 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 happy with the goal, but above all in such a close game in which we had to open the scoring,” stated Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi.
“He doesn’t score many but he’s starting to so I hope he continues like this,” stated De la Fuente. “He’s one of the best players in the world in his position.”
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 aim in first-half stoppage time and Aleksandar Mitrovic doubled the benefit earlier than Predrag Rajkovic saved a penalty from Swiss striker Breel Embolo.
Both video games in Group C3 completed goalless as Bulgaria have been held at dwelling by Luxembourg and Northern Ireland 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.
Source: www.dailysabah.com