Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal produced a dominant second-half display to crush Poland 5-1 and secure their place in the Nations League quarterfinals on Friday. Portugal’s victory sees them join France, Germany, Italy, and Spain in the last-eight, while Poland’s hopes of advancing from Group A1 were extinguished.
After a frustrating first half in which they failed to register a shot on target, Portugal came to life after the break. AC Milan forward Rafael Leao broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, finishing a fast counter-attack. Leao sprinted forward and linked up with Nuno Mendes, whose cross from the left was powerfully headed past Polish keeper Marcin Bulka.
Portugal’s captain Ronaldo doubled the lead with a penalty in the 71st minute after Jakub Kiwior was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.
Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 in the 80th minute, finishing off a clever move that started with Vitinha’s run. Ronaldo then set up Pedro Neto for the fourth just three minutes later, as the Polish defence was caught out.
As Poland’s resolve crumbled, Ronaldo sealed the win with an acrobatic overhead kick for his second goal of the night, making it 5-0 in the 87th minute. Poland’s Dominik Marczuk netted a late consolation goal for the visitors.
Poland had created more chances before Portugal’s breakthrough but were unable to capitalize, with the absence of their all-time top scorer, Robert Lewandowski, due to a back injury, leaving them without a clinical finish.
Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa was crucial in keeping his team in the game early on, with key saves to deny Marczuk and Nicola Zalewski. Portugal’s best chance in the first half came from Ronaldo, but his close-range effort sailed over the bar.
