BARCELONA, Spain – Cristiano Ronaldo scored his record-extending 133rd international goal to keep Portugal perfect in the Nations League with a 3-1 win over Poland on Saturday, and Spain scored late to beat Denmark 1- 0.
The 39-year-old superstar was there to score the rebound after Rafael Leão's shot hit the post in the 37th minute. That made it 2-0 after Bernardo Silva's first goal in Warsaw in the 26th.
After failing to find the net in his five appearances at this summer's Euros (with Portugal eliminated in the quarterfinals), Ronaldo has scored in three consecutive Nations League games, including goals in wins over Croatia and Scotland. last month.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez replaced Ronaldo with Diogo Jota with just under half an hour left in the final.
Midfielder Piotr Zielinski halved the deficit in the 78th minute for the hosts, but Southampton defender Jan Bednarek scored an own goal with two minutes remaining.
“It is not easy to play here against Poland. That's why I'm really satisfied with the final result,” said Portuguese defender Renato Veiga. “The only thing I regret is that we conceded the goal. “Now is the time to prepare for Scotland.”
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski started alongside Karol Swiderski, but the Polish attacking pair could not overcome the Portuguese defence.
Portugal leads Group A1 with nine points from three games. Second-place Croatia are on six points after coming from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 in Zagreb and the visitors equalized in second-half stoppage time, ruled out by VAR. Poland has three points and Scotland zero.
Scot Ryan Christie opened for the Scots and their coach Steve Clarke in the 33rd. Igor Matanovic equalized three minutes later and Andrej Kramaric completed the comeback in the 70th.
Scotland had the ball in the net right at the end with substitute Che Adams involved, but VAR confirmed it was offside.
Zubimendi shines in Rodri's place
Martín Zubimendi helped Spain break down Denmark's defense as the holding midfielder replaced the injured Rodri.
The Actual Sociedad player launched a powerful volley in the 79th minute to clear a rebound from outside the area against Kasper Schmeichel, who touched the ball but could not finish.
“In the first half we didn't play very well, but in the second we kept attacking and pinned them down,” Zubimendi said.
Zubimendi impressed in the Euro 2024 final when he replaced Rodri in the second half of Spain's 2-1 victory over England. Rodri seriously injured his right knee and required ACL surgery while playing for Manchester Metropolis last month.
Spain was also missing Nico Williams and Dani Olmo, two more players who stood out in the Euro Cup, who are out due to minor injuries.
Spain, the defending Nations League champion, has seven points in Group A4 after three games. Denmark has six points and Serbia has four after beating Switzerland 2-0.
The Swiss did not help their cause with an own goal from Nico Elvedi just before half-time.
Aleksandar Mitrovic doubled Serbia's lead with a solo shot in the 61st, and Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic saved a penalty taken by Breel Embolo.
Victories for Kosovo and Romania
Kosovo beat Lithuania 2-1 in League C, while Romania beat Cyprus 3-0, Northern Ireland drew 0-0 in Belarus and Bulgaria drew 0-0 at home to Luxembourg.
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