Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to score a late winner for Portugal to deny Scotland their first point of their Nations League Group A1 campaign after a 2-1 defeat in Lisbon.
Ronaldo, who scored his 900th career goal in Thursday’s win over Croatia, was brought on at half-time at the Estadio da Luz with the home side trailing 1-0 after Scott McTominay’s shock seventh-minute header – Scotland’s only shot of the first half.
But Ronaldo’s introduction sparked Portugal’s second-half comeback as his former Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes equalised in the 54th minute.
Scott McTominay headed Scotland into a shock early lead in Lisbon
The midfielder’s leveller was a bit of a gift from Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn on Fernandes’ 30th birthday as his first-time left-footed shot from the edge of the box squirmed past the Norwich shot-stopper.
But Gunn redeemed himself with three fantastic saves stopping substitute Joao Felix on each occasion, as Ronaldo also hit the post twice in quick succession.
Bruno Fernandes celebrates equalising for Portugal
But the 39-year-old was not to be denied as he tapped home a Nuno Mendes cross in the 88th minute for his 901st career goal to make it two wins from two for Portugal as they sit top of Group A1.
It was late heartbreak again for Scotland, though, after they suffered a 97th-minute defeat to Poland at Hampden Park on Thursday.
Steve Clarke’s side sit bottom of the group without a point and have now won just once in their last 14 matches, with their sole victory coming against minnows Gibraltar.
Modric follows Ronaldo in defying his age
Luka Modric celebrates scoring the winner for Croatia against Poland
Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric also continues to defy his age as he scored Croatia’s winner in a 1-0 victory against Poland just hours before turning 39.
The midfielder struck a second-half free-kick on his 180th appearance for Croatia, meaning Ronaldo is the only European player to have been capped more (214).
The ex-Tottenham player’s goal in Osijek sees Croatia move up to second in Group A1 level on points with third-placed Poland, with both sides three points behind leaders Portugal.
