In a thrilling UEFA Nations League Group A1 match on Sunday, Cristiano Ronaldo's 901st career goal clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory for Portugal over Scotland at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. Ronaldo’s decisive strike in the 88th minute capped off a remarkable comeback after Scotland had taken an early lead, adding another memorable moment to the 39-year-old's illustrious career.

Just days after reaching his 900th career goal with a strike against Croatia, Ronaldo showed he’s far from done. Coming on as a substitute in the second half, the Al-Nassr forward’s sharp tap-in secured Portugal's second consecutive Nations League win, maintaining their unbeaten streak.

Scotland’s Early Lead Stuns Portugal

The match began with an unexpected twist as Scotland took the lead in the 7th minute. Kenny McLean delivered a precise cross that Scott McTominay, formerly of Manchester United and now with Napoli, met with a powerful header past Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa. McTominay’s goal was his 10th in his last 12 competitive matches for Scotland.

Despite Scotland’s early advantage, Portugal pressed hard. Rafael Leao of AC Milan came close twice in the first half, forcing Angus Gunn into significant saves. Antonio Silva also missed a chance, heading over from a Leao cross.

Ronaldo’s Impact and Fernandes’ Equalizer

Ronaldo’s halftime introduction instantly lifted Portugal's spirits. However, it was Bruno Fernandes who brought Portugal back into the game in the 53rd minute. Fernandes unleashed a 25-yard shot that should have been saved by Gunn, but the Scottish goalkeeper’s misjudged attempt allowed the ball to slip into the net.

Ronaldo nearly gave Portugal the lead with a clever backheel pass to Joao Felix, but Gunn made a crucial save. Felix also missed several opportunities, including a header that struck the post.

Ronaldo’s Decisive Winner

As the match neared its end, Portugal's persistence was rewarded. Nuno Mendes sent a cross into the six-yard box where Ronaldo, ever the opportunist, tapped in the winner. The Estadio da Luz erupted as the veteran striker secured another victory for his team.

Scotland’s Ongoing Struggles

For Scotland, the defeat compounded a challenging year. Steve Clarke’s team has won only one of their nine matches in 2024—a friendly against Gibraltar—and the loss to Portugal leaves them still searching for their first Nations League win against the Selecao.

Despite the setback, Clarke praised his team’s effort, acknowledging the difficulty of facing a player like Ronaldo. “I’m really disappointed for my players because I think they deserved something from the game. But when you bring players like Ronaldo off the bench, you know there’s always a risk.”

Roberto Martinez’s Personal Victory and Scotland’s Misfortunes

For Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, the win had a personal touch. Having met his wife Beth while playing for Scottish club Motherwell, Martinez humorously noted before the match that a victory would please him despite upsetting his father-in-law.

With this victory, Portugal continues their strong Nations League campaign, while Scotland remains in search of their first win in the competition. Ronaldo’s late goal adds yet another chapter to his storied career, proving he remains as impactful as ever on the international stage.