Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals – including a stunning overhead kick – as Portugal crushed Poland 5-1 to clinch top spot in Nations League Group A1, with all six goals coming in the second half.
2024/2025 UEFA Nations League
5-1
Match Report
Ronaldo was joined on the scoresheet by Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto as Portugal improved massively following a first half in which they did not manage a single shot on target.
Having just shaded a quiet opening period, Poland found themselves behind when Leao stooped to nod Portugal ahead just before the hour mark, mere moments after Diogo Costa had denied Jakub Kaminski at the other end.
A Jakub Kiwior handball enabled Ronaldo to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot after 72 minutes, then Fernandes smashed a shot off the crossbar and in for 3-0 eight minutes later.
Chelsea winger Neto swiftly added a fourth by powering home on his weaker right foot, but the pick of Portugal's goals came via Ronaldo with three minutes of the 90 remaining.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner watched a dinked cross from the impressive Vitinha all the way before beating Marcin Bulka with an acrobatic overhead kick from close range.
Substitute Dominik Marczuk pulled one back for Poland at the death, but the heavy defeat – coupled with Scotland's 1-0 win over Croatia – puts them in severe danger of relegation.
Should Michal Probierz's team lose to the Tartan Army in Warsaw on Monday, they will drop to the second tier for the next edition of the Nations League in 2026-27. Portugal, meanwhile, are assured of a place in March's quarter-finals.
Data Debrief: Ronaldo remains the main man
After seeing Ronaldo go airborne to convert Vitinha's cross and put the icing on the Portugal cake, it was easy to forget that the legendary forward will enter his forties in just over two months.
He was well-marshalled by Poland in the first half, when Portugal only recorded nine touches in the visitors' area.
However, he ended the encounter with two goals from a game-high 2.06 xG, generated from five shots, also the most of any player on the pitch. He now has 135 senior international goals, 23 more than his great rival Lionel Messi.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
9' Piatek's cross is so wide and straight to the boundary line
12' Bereszyński's header is too close to the home goalkeeper who saves it well
15' Neither Ronaldo nor Bruno are able to apply the finish to a cross from Neves
21' Zalewski unleashes a drive from the edge of box that Costa does well to block
23' Ronaldo lets fly with a free-kick around 25 metres out, but it's over the bar
28' Bereszyński has a shot blocked by Mendes
32' Bereszyński cannot continue the game and is replaced by Kamiński
38' Piątek hits an arrowing strike with the outside of boot that flies narrowly wide
46' Joao Neves is replaced by Vitinha in half-time
47' Ronaldo gets an right boot to Leao's pass but it's over the bar
58' Another smart save from Costa to deny Marczuk's effort!
59' Leão sends a powerful header to open the scoring for hosts! Portugal 1-0 Poland
67' Highlight from Portugal vs Poland
72' Cristiano Ronaldo nets the penalty goal to double the lead! Portugal 2-0 Poland
77' Ronaldo meets Dalot's flick-on but scoops the ball over the bar
80' What a strike! Bruno Fernandes unleashes a powerful stunner! Portugal 3-0 Poland
83' Pedro Neto collects Ronaldo's pass and scores it! Portugal 4-0 Poland
87' GOAL! Portugal 5-0 Poland (Cristiano Ronaldo)
Line-ups
Portugal XI: Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo, Diogo Costa, Dalot, Pedro Neto, Leao, Nuno Mendes, António Silva, João Neves, Renato Veiga
Subs: Cancelo, Otávio, Rui Silva, Semedo, Jose Sa, Trincão, Felix, Nuno Tavares, Vitinha, Francisco Conceição, Samú Costa, Tomás Araújo
Poland XI: Bereszynski, Zielinski, Bednarek, Taras Romanczuk, Piatek, Bulka, Mateusz Bogusz, Jakub Kiwior, Nicola Zalewski, Kamil Piatkowski, Kacper Urbanski
Subs: Skorupski, Adam Buksa, Bartlomiej Dragowski, Bartosz Slisz, Tymoteusz Puchacz, Jakub Moder, Sebastian Walukiewicz, Jakub Kaminski, Antoni Kozubal, Dominik Marczuk