Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty and executed a stunning overhead kick as Portugal decisively defeated Poland 5-1, securing their spot in the Nations League quarterfinals on Friday.
Scotland achieved its first victory in nine matches, keeping its aspirations alive to remain in the tournament’s elite tier.
Spain, having already clinched the top position in Group A4, triumphed over Denmark 2-1 in Copenhagen, while Serbia salvaged a late equalizer against Switzerland, relegating the Swiss to the second tier.
France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Portugal have all secured their places in the eight-team quarterfinal lineup, with matches scheduled from March 20-23.
These eight teams are also guaranteed a position in Pot 1 for the qualifying draw for the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo Shines Bright
In Porto, Ronaldo delivered an exceptional performance, especially during a thrilling second half.
Portugal initially struggled against a disorganized Poland, but three goals in the final 10 minutes highlighted their dominant display.
Rafael Leão opened the scoring with a well-placed header shortly after halftime, followed by Ronaldo converting a penalty for his 134th international goal.
Bruno Fernandes then struck a remarkable third goal from nearly 30 meters, and just minutes later, Ronaldo assisted Pedro Neto, who found the net from a challenging angle.
Ronaldo capped off the evening with a brilliant overhead kick, marking his 135th goal for the national team.
Although Dominik Marczuk managed to score a consolation goal for Poland, the defeat dashed their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals.
With Croatia’s loss in Glasgow, Roberto Martinez’s squad has secured the top position in Group A1.
Scotland’s Hard-Earned Victory
Scotland celebrated its first win in nine matches, thanks to a late goal from John McGinn that secured a narrow victory over a 10-man Croatia in Group A1.
Petar Sucic received a second yellow card just before halftime, leaving Croatia a player down, but Scotland struggled to take advantage.
Teenager Ben Doak impressed in the second half, yet it was only four minutes from the end that McGinn’s goal erupted joy among the Hampden Park supporters.
The outcome left Scotland with two points and Poland with four. The two teams will face off in Warsaw on Monday, with Scotland needing a win to avoid relegation.
Spain Triumphs Over Denmark
Denmark has not managed to defeat Spain since 1993, and the match began poorly for them as Mikel Oyarzabal capitalized on defensive errors to score just 15 minutes in.
The European champions maintained control throughout the match, with Oyarzabal and Ayoze Pérez forming a strong partnership. Pérez hit the crossbar early but eventually found the net with a precise finish after a clever assist from Olmo.
A late defensive mistake allowed Gustav Isaksen to score a consolation goal for Denmark, but the result, along with the draw in Switzerland, keeps Denmark in a strong position to secure one of the top two spots in Group A4.
Currently, Denmark sits in second place with seven points, two ahead of Serbia. The two teams will clash in Leskovac on Monday, while Switzerland’s loss sees them relegated to League B.
Serbia’s Late Equalizer
In Zurich, Zeki Amdouni gave Switzerland an early lead in the 79th minute, putting them on track for their first win in the tournament.
However, with just three minutes remaining, Serbia launched a counterattack, and Aleksa Terzić calmly equalized.
Earlier in the match, Gregor Kobel had saved a penalty taken by Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrović, showcasing the tension and drama that characterized the game.
