Cristiano Ronaldo added another milestone to his illustrious international career by scoring his 133rd goal for Portugal in their 3-1 victory over Poland in the UEFA Nations League. The match, held in Warsaw, saw the 38-year-old captain play a crucial role in Portugal’s dominance before being substituted in the 63rd minute.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a chance to open the scoring early, but his close-range effort rattled the crossbar. Despite this near-miss, Portugal took the lead when Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva volleyed in from a knockdown by Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United. This goal set the tone for the rest of the match, with Portugal controlling the play for large periods.
Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Yet Again as Portugal Extend Their Lead
After helping set up the first goal, Ronaldo soon doubled Portugal’s advantage with a signature poacher’s effort. Following a dazzling run by Rafael Leao, whose shot struck the post, Cristiano Ronaldo reacted quickly to slot the rebound into the net. This marked his third Nations League goal in as many games, further highlighting his continued importance to the Portuguese national team, despite not finding the back of the net during Euro 2024.
As Cristiano Ronaldo made way for Diogo Jota just after the hour mark, Portugal looked set for a comfortable win. However, Poland managed to claw one back, with Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski powering a shot past Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa to reignite hopes of a Polish comeback. But Portugal would soon put the game out of reach.
Portugal Seal Victory Despite Polish Resistance
In the dying minutes of the match, Portugal secured their victory thanks to an own goal from Southampton defender Jan Bednarek. The Polish center-back accidentally slid a cross from Nuno Mendes into his own net, sealing a 3-1 win for Portugal. The result keeps Portugal at the top of their Nations League group, having won all three of their matches.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Maxi Oyedele made his debut for Poland. The Salford-born midfielder, who joined Legia Warsaw from Manchester United in the summer, made an impression after being introduced as a second-half substitute. Despite Poland’s spirited efforts, the debut of Oyedele and the strike from Zielinski weren’t enough to prevent the hosts from succumbing to Portugal’s superior quality. Portugal will now look ahead to their next match against Scotland at Hampden Park, where they will aim to maintain their 100% record. .
Poland’s Resilience Falls Short Against Ruthless Portugal
Poland fought back after Portugal’s second goal but struggled to break down a disciplined and ruthless Portuguese defense. Their best opportunity to get back into the game came in the 78th minute when Piotr Zielinski capitalized on a loose ball inside the box to score for the home side. However, this goal merely provided consolation, as Portugal quickly regained control of the match.
Jan Bednarek’s own goal in the 88th minute sealed Poland’s fate. A dangerous cross from Nuno Mendes forced Bednarek to turn the ball into his own net, ending any hopes of a comeback. With this decisive third goal, Portugal secured a vital win and strengthened their hold on the top spot in Group 1, leaving Poland with a mountain to climb in their remaining fixtures.
Ronaldo Shines as Man of the Match
Despite being 39 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to demonstrate his unmatched goal-scoring prowess. He came close to scoring even earlier in the match, hitting the crossbar before converting his 133rd international goal in the 37th minute. His performance on Saturday further cements his legacy, as he has now netted 11 times for both club and country during the 2024-25 season.
Cristiano Ronaldo faced criticism for his all-around contribution to the national team, but he silenced his detractors with an 88% pass completion rate and three shots on goal during the match. His leadership and clinical finishing once again made him the standout player on the pitch, proving that even at his age, he remains a key figure in Portugal’s success.
