In the 88th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo saluted his 901st goal after slotting home, spoiling the narrative of Scotland’s brave one-point win. Before that time, Steve Clarke from the Tartan Army headed to fill the friendship.Then they were eliminated from the group stage at Euro 2024, Clarke was careful to speak to his team.
“Especially for the players, it’s disappointing to lose this game for everything they’ve played for.We build these games and the end goal is always to qualify for a tournament.It’s good not to concede late goals.” he said.
Clarke’s men broke the contest through Scott McTominay and took the lead at the break, but keeper Joachim Phillips pulled one back from a late strike, but Angus Gunn’s hands looked like plastic when Bruno Fernandes squared the contest, and he also blocked two efforts from his left and Ronaldo.Asked about Fernandez’s finish
The defeat marks Clarke’s eighth international match without a win, a record he can’t break. It was the anniversary of Scotland’s last victory, a 3-0 win over Cyprus.Scots took the lead as Billy Gilmour threatened from two corners from the left, Kenny McLean headed the ball over and McTominay slotted past Diogo Costa.
Deservedly though, Roberto Martínez’s men were a constant threat.Diego Jota was dominant in the Fernandes-Bernardo Silva combination.Then twice Rafael Leão dropped his left flag, worrying Gunn.The Scots fell back too deep as Leão, who was in the box, pounced and fired, which saw Gunn make an impressive dive to his right and push the ball away.
Portugal’s chances flowed in, but Scotland could stop their flow if they could snuff out Leão’s firefly.Leão dissected Clarke’s men and flicked the ball past the center-back to number 17 Antonio Silva to give the Scots a breather. Even better was a move past the Portuguese who pressed Gunn near goal and finished too far from John McGinn’s delivery, but Gunn was impressed by the defense and eased the pressure as he parried Jota’s header to give his side further insurance.
Ronaldo, who started off the bench, cursed this point as he held himself back to score from missed chances.At the end of the first half, Fernandes’ blast was blocked by Scott McKenna and headed wide by Leão.Martínez removed João Palhina and Neto for Rúben Neves and Ronaldo, removing his beloved No. 9 berth and Jota playing up front on the right.
Moments later, Fernandes hit the target for the equalizer, inadvertently heading home and ending a speculative save from outside the area that the No 8’s left foot should have saved. This is now a test of fortitude for Clarke’s side.Will they be able to continue or achieve more?They lacked skill, blocked the ball and sent Portugal back into their own territory.
Gilmour eventually ran home, but Maurizio Mariani was disinterested as Italian referee Neves duly tackled the ball.Moments later, the official got it right for the second time when he waved another penalty for handball from a Ryan Christie blast.Ronaldo’s match-winner came from a sweet Nuno Mendes cross and provoked more questions for Clarke.
