Nations League 2024: Portugal’s Perfect Start Ruined by Scotland’s Defense
Nations League 2024 Portugal vs Scotland Updates: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Frustration
Portugal’s flawless record in the UEFA Nations League came to an abrupt end with a 0-0 draw against Scotland at Hampden Park, which was a frustrating result for both Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team. Exhibiting his frustration at not being able to score, Ronaldo walked off the field with a mocking cheer, flailing his arms and giving the audience the finger
After the game, Ronaldo walked off the field with a mocking cheer, swinging his arms and putting his thumbs down, appearing displeased with the referee. Despite winning their first three games in the competition, Portugal was unable to get past the Scots at Glasgow’s Hampden Park. With 133 goals for his country, Ronaldo had several excellent opportunities to end the impasse.
After the game, he appeared displeased with the referee, swinging his arms and putting his thumbs down as he exited the field to mocking applause. Portugal tops Group A1 with 10 points, three more than Croatia and six more than Poland, having defeated Croatia, Scotland, and Poland.
Scotland remained on one point, in last place. It has lost four straight games going into the matchup and was on a nine-game winless streak.
“A lot was absent for Portugal this evening,” stated midfielder Bernardo Silva. We were not intense enough, and we did not attack when we should have. We’re frustrated when we leave here.
Each group’s top two countries will move on to the knockout stage.
Spain into the Quarterfinals
After missing a penalty kick, Spain easily overcame Serbia 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Nations League, their third straight victory. Álvaro Morata scored the goal almost ten minutes later.
At the Nuevo Arcangel stadium in Cordoba, Morata first sent his penalty kick over the crossbar in the 54th minute and then found the net for Spain’s second goal in the 65th.
“I scored despite missing a penalty,” stated Morata. “Once again, we are in the elimination rounds. Although it sounds simple, we must cherish our accomplishments.
Five minutes into the game, Spain’s Aymeric Laporte opened the scoring for the reigning champions, who had earlier began with a 0-0 draw against Serbia before going on to defeat Switzerland and Denmark in Group A4.
Spain is first in the group with 10 points, three ahead of Denmark, which drew 2-2 against Switzerland in bottom place.
With four points after a draw with Spain and a victory over Switzerland—which is still winless—Serbia was ranked third.
After Strahinja Pavlovic was sent off for a sliding tackle on an opponent, Serbia started the 76th minute with one man down. The resulting free kick was scored by Spain’s third goal, Alex Baena.
Five Goals in the First Half
In the first 26 minutes of the first half, Croatia scored three goals, out of a total of five goals against Poland.
In Group A1 in Poland, the game finished in a 3-3 tie with the Croatians leading 3-2 at the half.
Poland’s Piotr Zielinski opened the score five minutes into the game, but Borna Sosa, Petar Sucic, and Martin Baturina goals in the 19th, 24th, and 26th minutes of play put the visitors ahead. Poland took the lead with Nicola Zalewski in the 45th minute, and Szymanski leveled the score in the 68th.
Goalie Dominik Livakovic of Croatia was sent off in the 76th minute for a heinous infraction committed outside the penalty area against Poland’s Robert Lewandowski. Despite keeping his foot elevated during the follow-through, Livakovic cleared the ball with a kick and struck Lewandowski right below the knee with his standing leg.
Portugal led the group with seven points, three more than Croatia’s total. Poland, three points ahead of Scotland, came in third place.
Other Matches
In League C, Kosovo defeated visiting Cyprus 3-0, while Romania triumphed 2-1 away from Lithuania and Belarus drew 1-1 at home against Luxembourg.
At home, Northern Ireland defeated Bulgaria 5-0, led by Isaac Price’s hat trick.
