UEFA Nations League: Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Again, Spain go Top After Denmark Win
Cristiano Ronaldo was back among the goals for Portugal and Spain eventually found a way through a stern Denmark defence on a potentially significant night in the UEFA Nations League.
Here is a round up of Matchday 3 action.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
Goals from Igor Matanović and Andrej Kramarić secured a comeback victory for the 2022/23 Nations League runners-up in Zagreb. Scotland began brightly and were rewarded when Ryan Christie pounced on a miscued clearance just after the half-hour mark. However, the Vatreni needed just three minutes to level, with Matanović sweeping home after Ivan Perišić’s lay-off.
Craig Gordon, making his first Tartan Army start since November 2022, did well to keep out second-half strikes from Matanović and Luka Modrić, but when the 41-year-old goalkeeper could only parry Borna Sosa’s crisp half-volley, Kramarić was perfectly placed to nod in the winner from close range.
Poland 1-3 Portugal
Goals from Bernardo Silva and Ronaldo helped Portugal make it three wins from three in Group A1. Silva’s volley broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, with Ronaldo doubling the advantage 11 minutes later by tapping in after Rafael Leão’s initial effort struck the post.
Piotr Zieliński pulled one back in the 78th minute, but Jan Bednarek’s late own goal ensured the visitors maintained their perfect start.
Serbia 2-0 Switzerland
Serbia claimed their first Nations League win of the campaign with victory over Switzerland. The hosts were ahead just before the break when the unfortunate Nico Elvedi turned Lazar Samardžić’s free-kick into the net.
Just after the hour mark, Eagles captain Aleksandar Mitrović doubled the advantage with an eye-catching strike following a mazy run. With time running out, Switzerland piled on the pressure but Breel Embolo could not beat Predrag Rajković from the penalty spot and Elvedi’s looping header clipped the crossbar in added time.
Spain 1-0 Denmark
Martín Zubimendi’s volley 11 minutes from time put dominant Spain a point above their visitors at the section summit.
After home goalkeeper David Raya turned Kasper Dolberg’s early strike behind, Lars Knudsen’s side were indebted to Kasper Schmeichel for saves from Lamine Yamal and Álvaro Morata, both of whom went close more than once. Zubimendi’s first-time effort from distance made the breakthrough, Denmark suffering their first defeat of the campaign.
Best of the rest
Romania scored three first-half goals against Cyprus to maintain their 100% record in Group C2 with a comfortable victory.
Kosovo made it back-to-back away wins in the Nations League for the first time in their history as they kept up the pressure up on Romania.
Belarus remain top of Group C3 following a battling draw with Northern Ireland.
All Saturday’s results
A1 Croatia 2-1 Scotland, Poland 1-3 Portugal
A4 Serbia 2-0 Switzerland, Spain 1-0 Denmark
C2 Cyprus 0-3 Romania, Lithuania 1-2 Kosovo
C3 Belarus 0-0 Northern Ireland, Bulgaria 0-0 Luxembourg
