Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 133rd international goal on Saturday evening, with the 39-year-old helping Portugal record a 3-1 victory over Poland in their UEFA Nations League contest.
The result has left Roberto Martinez's side at the top of Group 1 of League A, boasting nine points from their opening three matches, while Poland sit down in third spot, three points behind second-placed Croatia.
The breakthrough came in the 26th minute of the contest, and it was a wonderful goal from Portugal, with Bruno Fernandes expertly heading down towards Bernardo Silva inside the penalty box, and the Manchester City attacker volleyed into the bottom corner.
Portugal had their second of the match in the 37th minute; the goal was all about Rafael Leao, with the forward driving through a number of Polish challengers before striking against the base of the post, and Ronaldo was on hand to convert from close range.
Poland had seven attempts in the opening half of action, but they were undone by a ruthless Portugal outfit, who are now in an incredibly strong position at the top of the section.
The home team did have one back in the 78th minute of the contest, with Piotr Zielinski firing into the back of the net from inside the box after the ball broke kindly for him in a dangerous area.
However, Portugal scored a third in the 88th minute when Jan Bednarek turned a dangerous cross from Nuno Mendes into the back of his own net from close range, with Martinez's side securing a vital win.
POLAND VS. PORTUGAL HIGHLIGHTS
26th min: Poland 0-1 Portugal (Bernardo Silva)
Portugal make the breakthrough in the 26th minute of the contest through Bernardo Silva, with the attacker firing a volley into the bottom corner of the net after being found by a clever Fernandes header.
37th min: Poland 0-2 Portugal (Cristiano Ronaldo)
Portugal double their advantage in the Nations League fixture, and Ronaldo is on the scoresheet; Leao drives through the heart of Poland before smashing one against the post, and Ronaldo is on hand to convert from close range.
78th min: Poland 1-2 Portugal (Piotr Zielinski)
Poland have one back in the 78th minute of the match, as Zielinski fires into the back of the net after the ball had broken kindly for him inside the Portugal penalty box. The hosts get themselves back in the match with more than 10 minutes to play.
88th min: Poland 1-3 Portugal (Jan Bednarek own goal)
Portugal make sure of the points in the 88th minute of the match, as Bednarek turns a cross from Mendes into the back of his own net.
MAN OF THE MATCH - CRISTIANO RONALDO
© Imago
Ronaldo hit the crossbar before getting his name on the scoresheet in the 37th minute, and he has now scored 11 times for club and country during the 2024-25 campaign, with the legendary forward still a goal machine.
There has been criticism of his all-round contribution for the national side, but he was brilliant on Saturday, boasting a pass success rate of 88% and having three shots in total, with Ronaldo the star of the show in the Nations League affair.
POLAND VS. PORTUGAL MATCH STATS
Possession: Poland 37%-63% Portugal
Shots: Poland 12-19 Portugal
Shots on target: Poland 4-7 Portugal
Corners: Poland 7-4 Portugal
Fouls: Poland 12-16 Portugal
BEST STAT
39 year old Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 33 goals for club and country in 2024.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 12, 2024
Still at the top 🍷 pic.twitter.com/dYqgNvr6Hj
WHAT NEXT?
Portugal will be bidding to make it four straight wins in the section when they head to Scotland on Tuesday night, before tackling Poland and Croatia in their final two matches of the group stage in November.
Poland, meanwhile, will be aiming to bounce back from successive defeats when they host Croatia on Tuesday, before taking on Portugal again and Scotland in their November matches.
Matt Law
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