Football: Cristiano Ronaldo delights with an acrobatic return

Portugal qualified for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations by correcting Poland (5-1) with a double from Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored his 135th international goal with a superb return on Friday in Porto.

With the defeat of Croatia in Scotland (1-0), the Seleçao (13 points) is assured of finishing in first place in group 1 of League A, even before concluding this group stage on Monday during its trip to Croatia (2nd with 7 points).

Friday evening at the Dragon stadium, the Seleçao sorely lacked offensive inspiration and defensive mastery throughout the first half, but the team of Spanish coach Roberto Martinez returned from the locker room with Vitinha in place of Joao Neves, and a dynamic much more impactful.

Portugal took the advantage thanks to Rafael Leao, who concluded with his head a rapid attack that he himself launched with the help of Nuno Mendes, author of a nice decisive pass (59th, 1-0) .

Until then transparent, even messy, Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the lead from the penalty spot (72nd, 2-0) by punishing a handball in the area by Polish defender Jakub Kiwior, who wanted to counter a strike from Diogo Dalot.

Bruno Fernandes then hit the nail on the head with a superb right shot into the top corner (80th, 3-0) and Pedro Neto aggravated the score with a right shot passed between goalkeeper Marcin Bulka and his inside post (83rd, 4-0).

The evening will, however, remain marked by Ronaldo’s acrobatic return after a cross from Vitinha (87th, 5-0), followed by a goal for the honor of Poland from Dominik Marczuk (88th, 5-1).