After Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 901st goal in his career on Sunday night, Portugal defeated Scotland 2-1 in their UEFA Nations League match, setting up raucous celebrations in Lisbon. With a goal against Croatia earlier in the week, the 39-year-old superstar made his way into the 900 Club.
He then demonstrated his abilities once more against a self-assured Scotland team. Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo’s old Manchester United teammate gave the home team the lead before Scott McTominay tied the score for Scotland.
After that, Ronaldo finished the game by pushing in the game-winning goal in the 87th minute, which caused ecstasy throughout the stadium as Portugal made a valiant effort to prevent a tie.
Following a dazzling run by AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, a deep cross into the box was met with ease by Ronaldo, who converted easily on his first attempt after initially dodging a crowd of rival players.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 901st career goal to win Portugal’s UEFA Nations League contest against Scotland.
Ronaldo arrived at the back-post tap in a close-range finish in the dying embers of the game.
Ronaldo is on a mission to score 1000 career goals after previously bringing up his 900th strike.
He then quickly ran off celebrating with his national team colleagues who mobbed theΒ Real MadridΒ andΒ Man UnitedΒ legend who struck his iconic siuuu celebration for the baying crowd.
Ronaldo had started the match on the bench as Portugal boss Roberto Martinez sought to rest him before calling the veteran into action when the match was level at 1-1.
Scotland were unable to fightback in the game’s dying embers as they slumped to a second consecutive defeat in the space of three days.
Ronaldo’s strike is the first in his bid to reach 1000 career goals after previously outlining his plans toΒ achieve the record-breaking number despite being in the twilight years of his career.
‘Only me and the people around me know how difficult it is to work daily to be physically and psychologically well and reach goal 900,’ said Ronaldo following his first strike since June, which extended his record international haul to 131.
‘It’s a unique milestone in my career and it was with a lot of emotion I celebrated that goal. It represents a lot.
‘It was the number I wanted to achieve for a long time and I knew I would achieve it because, as I continue to play, it would happen naturally.
‘I already won twoΒ trophies for Portugal, something I really wanted. Whatever comes next is spectacular. I dreamed of this and I have more dreams,’ he added.
Ronaldo came on at half-time against Scotland as he took a rare place amongst the subs and head coach Roberto Martinez later revealed it was the Al-Nassr striker’s choice to not start.
‘The question was whether Ronaldo played the first half and left or came in and finished the game. That was the decision,’ said Martinez.
Ronaldo came off the bench at half-time and punished Scotland’s defence by scoring a late winner.
The Lisbon crowd roared as Ronaldo was surrounded by his Portugal teammates. He is a valuable member of the national team. When Cris enters the game, the stadium changes because he provides the crowd enthusiasm and a sense that the scorer needs goals. When Cris departs, things go the other way around and make it easier for the opposition to accomplish their goals when playing away from home in Portugal. The players’ collective devotion is what matters most, though. The players are ready for it and have faith in their abilities to contribute to the National Team. “Cristiano was a model captain,” he continued. Scotland had again another difficult evening, adding to the pressure on manager Steve Clarke who has overseen a disastrous Euro 2024 campaign and two losses in a row.