Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Poland1 - 3Portugal

sportsmole.co.uk, 12 October 2024, 20:51
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

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

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.

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City officially announce that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Girona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga for the first time this season when they welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An in-form Las Palmas will be aiming to make it five wins from their last six matches in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Mallorca on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following four straight defeats leading into the international break, Aston Villa will return to action on Saturday, when Crystal Palace pay a visit to Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League action will return to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium this weekend when Al Khaleej play host to the defending champions Al-Hilal on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign against Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Robert Lewandowski is a mesmerising goal scorer, but it turns out that's not his only talent. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace may be without two of their key creators when they kick off on Saturday afternoon, as an ailing Premier League campaign resumes away to Aston Villa. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday's La Liga contest. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides that were glad to see international football intervene will return from a much-needed break on Saturday, as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace meet at Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Johnstone host Kilmarnock this weekend at McDiarmid Park, in a clash between two struggling Scottish Premiership sides. 21 November 2024 talksport.com It would take a lot to humiliate Cole Palmer on a football pitch, but he's revealed what would need to happen to do so. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Iago Aspas is once again expected to start, as Celta Vigo continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a contest against division leaders Barcelona on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are set to again be without the services of a number of important players for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, including Lamine Yamal, with the Spaniard not yet recovering from an ankle problem. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table meet on Saturday, as Burton Albion host Stockport County at the Pirelli Stadium. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube video with Mr Beast hit one million views in just 30 minutes. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all reportedly interested in signing Vasco da Gama youngster Rayan. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga leaders Barcelona will be bidding to bounce back from a surprise defeat before the November international break when they resume their league campaign away to Celta Vigo on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal need a figure up front like Alexander Isak to replace Kai Havertz. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic, looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season, are set to travel to Tynecastle Park to face relegation-threatened Hearts on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim will take charge of his first game as Manchester United manager this weekend as his side take on Ipswich.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon