Portugal comeback capped by Ronaldo's late winner

LISBON — Cristiano Ronaldo's 901st goal sealed Portugal's 2-1 win over Scotland, completing a stirring fightback in Sunday's Nations League clash.

Ronaldo had reached 900 career goals with his 131st international strike in Thursday's victory over Croatia.

The 39-year-old showed no signs of being sated by that incredible milestone, as he came off the bench to lift Portugal to its second successive win in Nations League Group A1.

The Estadio da Luz in Lisbon rose in unison to chant the relentless Al-Nassr forward's name after he struck with two minutes remaining.

On his 30th birthday, Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes fired in Portugal's second-half equalizer, after his former Old Trafford teammate Scott McTominay gave Scotland a surprise early lead.

For Portugal boss Roberto Martinez, victory over Scotland could mean some awkward silences at his next family gathering.

Martinez met his wife Beth while playing for Scottish club Motherwell in 2001 and joked before the match he would be delighted to upset his father-in-law by beating Scotland.

He did exactly that, leaving Scotland still waiting for its first win over Portugal.

Beaten 3-2 by Poland at Hampden Park on Thursday, Scotland has won just once in 14 matches, a barren sequence that included its lackluster Euro 2024 campaign, where it failed to make it out of the group stage.

Steve Clarke's men have lost six of their nine matches in 2024, with their only victory coming in a friendly against Gibraltar in June.

"When you bring quality players from the bench like Roberto can, you always know there's a risk," Clarke said.

"I'm really disappointed for my players, because I think they deserved to get something from the game.

"But with the amount of balls that go into the box, you know one of them can go in the back of the net, and that's what happened to us."

Super sub

Scotland took a shock lead in the seventh minute when Kenny McLean's superb cross picked out McTominay, who made a perfectly-timed run to plant his stooping header past Diogo Costa from six yards.

McTominay, who recently moved from United to Napoli, has 10 goals in his last 12 competitive appearances for Scotland.

Rafael Leao threatened an immediate equalizer with a driving run, but his shot only rippled the side-netting.

Leao went even closer, as he cut in from the left flank for a fierce drive that forced Angus Gunn into a full stretch to push it away.

Antonio Silva wasted a chance created by Leao, as he headed over from the AC Milan forward's dinked cross.

As the Portugal pressure mounted, Gunn made a fine save after Diogo Jota connected with Fernandes' incisive pass.

It was no surprise to see Ronaldo sent on for the second half, and Portugal was immediately improved by his presence.

Taking aim from long-range in the 53rd minute, Fernandes' 25-yard blast should have been routine for Gunn, but his weak attempted save allowed the ball to squirm into the net.

Ronaldo's audacious backheel gave Joao Felix a sight of goal, only for Gunn to make amends for his earlier error with an excellent stop.

Gunn saved again from Felix's diving header, before Ronaldo turned the rebound against the post.

In the next attack, Ronaldo's glancing header hit the post and was clawed off the line by Gunn, before Felix could convert.

AFP