Portugal’s Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo scored first-half goals in a 3-1 victory against Poland in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday. The Group A1 leaders continued their perfect start to the competition with three wins from three games.
Silva opened the scoring after 26 minutes, finding the net off a header from Bruno Fernandes. Captain Ronaldo tallied his 133rd international goal eleven minutes later with a first-time shot after Rafael Leao hit the post.
Piotr Zielinski pulled a goal back for Poland in the 78th minute with a powerful strike into the roof of the net. However, teammate Jan Bednarek surrendered an own goal in the dying minutes, sealing Portugal’s victory.
Portugal remains atop League A Group 1 with nine points, three points clear of Croatia, who came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 earlier on Saturday. Poland sits in third place with three points, while Scotland has yet to earn a point.
The match began with Poland on the front foot. Striker Robert Lewandowski nearly netted an early opener but was inches away from connecting with a cross before Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa intervened.
Portugal quickly gained control, with Polish keeper Lukasz Skorupski blocking Diogo Dalot’s close-range effort. Ronaldo struck the bottom of the bar as Portugal dominated possession and created multiple chances.
Fernandes tested Skorupski again in the 14th minute with a curled shot from outside the box, forcing the keeper to tip the ball away. Portugal finally broke through when Silva scored, followed by Ronaldo’s calm finish after Leao’s dazzling run and shot off the post.
The 39-year-old forward, who previously helped Portugal secure 2-1 wins against Scotland and Croatia, notched his 11th goal of the new campaign for club and country. He could have added a third but opted to pass to Fernandes, who sent the ball over the bar.
Poland showed resilience as Lewandowski headed narrowly wide moments later. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez managed Ronaldo’s playing time, substituting him with Diogo Jota in the 63rd minute.
Zielinski’s late strike energized the hosts, but their hopes were dashed when Bednarek’s own goal ended Poland’s two-year unbeaten home run.
Reference(s):
Ronaldo on target as Portugal maintain perfect start in Nations League
cgtn.com
