Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved his enduring brilliance, scoring two goals in Portugal's dominant 5-1 victory over Poland in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, November 15. The match saw Portugal secure their place in the quarter-finals of the competition, with Ronaldo’s stunning 87th-minute bicycle kick standing out as the defining moment of the game. The goal, which quickly went viral across social media platforms, not only added another remarkable strike to Ronaldo’s already impressive international tally but also capped off a clinical display from Portugal. Alongside Ronaldo’s goals, contributions from Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes, and Pedro Neto further solidified Portugal’s commanding win. Despite a late consolation goal from Poland’s Dominik Marczuk in the 88th minute, the result was never in doubt, as Portugal had already put the game out of Poland’s reach.
Portugal took control of the match early, with Leao scoring the first goal just before the hour mark. Ronaldo doubled the advantage in the 72nd minute with a calm, well-placed penalty down the middle, following a handball in the box. Portugal’s dominance continued with an explosive eight-minute spell where Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, and Ronaldo all found the back of the net in quick succession. Poland’s sole response came through Marczuk, who scored his first-ever international goal in the 88th minute, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
Speaking after the game, Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez, praised his team’s dramatic shift in performance from the first half to the second. "The first half was disappointing, we lost focus and became frustrated. But the second half was the best we've had under my management," he said, lauding his squad for improving their intensity and teamwork after the break. Martinez highlighted how Portugal raised their level, not allowing Poland to get back into the game. This result propelled Portugal to the top of their group, extending their unbeaten run to 13 points, six ahead of second-placed Croatia, who suffered a 1-0 loss to Scotland. Poland, with four points, now find themselves in third place, tied with Scotland.
Poland, missing their talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski due to a back injury, had a strong start to the match, creating several opportunities in the first half. They outshot Portugal, with three on-target efforts compared to none from the hosts. Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa was called into action early, saving a header from Bartosz Bereszynski in the 12th minute and then denying Krzysztof Zalewski’s powerful shot from the edge of the box. Despite Poland’s early chances, Portugal struggled to find their rhythm, with both Leao and Ronaldo failing to capitalize on good opportunities before the break.
However, Portugal came out in the second half with renewed energy and purpose. Leao won back possession deep in his own half, before charging down the pitch and delivering a precise cross that allowed Ronaldo to score. Shortly after, the referee awarded Portugal a penalty for a handball in the box, and Ronaldo stepped up to calmly convert, making it 2-0. The hosts’ clinical attacking continued when Bruno Fernandes struck a powerful shot from long range, which deflected off the inside of the crossbar and into the net, extending Portugal’s lead to 3-0. Pedro Neto then added a fourth in the 83rd minute, finishing coolly from a tight angle at the near post.
With the match already beyond Poland’s reach, Ronaldo sealed his brace with a sensational bicycle kick in the 87th minute, bringing his international goal tally to 135 goals. The acrobatic finish sent the home crowd into raptures, and the moment was captured by fans across the globe. Poland responded with a late goal from Marczuk, who slotted the ball past Costa for his first-ever international goal, but it did little to lessen the impact of Portugal’s dominant performance.
The victory was a crucial one for Portugal, as it ensured their progression to the quarter-finals and kept them on track to defend their 2019 Nations League title. The team’s fourth consecutive top-two finish in the competition further cements their status as one of the elite national teams in Europe. With their qualification secured, Portugal will now shift their focus to the upcoming knockout stages, aiming to continue their impressive form and make a strong push for the trophy.
For Poland, the defeat means they remain in third place in the group, and their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals now rest on their final match, where they will face Scotland at home. Without Lewandowski, the team struggled to break down Portugal’s defense and lacked the cutting edge needed to challenge the hosts. However, with Marczuk’s late goal providing a glimpse of hope, Poland will need to regroup and put in a strong performance to keep their hopes alive.
Â
