Staff Reporter.
First-half goals from Bernado Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal to a comfortable 3-1 victory away to Poland in the Nations League on Saturday as they continued their perfect start to the competition with three wins.
Ronaldo hit the crossbar from close range before Portugal took the lead through Silva. The Manchester City player volleyed in from a knockdown by Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo doubled the lead when he slotted in a rebound after Rafael Leao hit the post following a fantastic run.
It was Ronaldo’s third Nations League goal in three games, having failed to net once at Euro 2024.
He was replaced by Diogo Jota in the 63rd minute.
Portugal were looking comfortable in Warsaw until Piotr Zielinski smashed in a shot to give Poland hope.
But Southampton defender Jan Bednarek scored a late own goal – sliding Nuno Mendes’ cross into his own net – to make Portugal’s win safe.
The hosts handed an international debut to Salford-born Maxi Oyedele. The 19-year-old, whose mother is Polish, joined Legia Warsaw from Manchester United in the summer – having had a loan spell with Forest Green last season.
Portugal, who have won all three Nations League games, play Scotland – who have lost all three – at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
Meanwhile Scotland remain winless in Nations League A as Croatia came from behind to triumph 2-1 in Zagreb and prolong Steve Clarke’s side’s 13-month wait for a competitive victory.
Elsewhere Martin Zubimendi’s volley from outside the penalty area meant Spain’s first home game since winning Euro 2024 was a victorious outing against Denmark in the Uefa Nations League.