- Cristiano Ronaldo scored goal number 901 in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Scotland
- The Portuguese legend came off the bench to score the winning goal in Lisbon
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Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 901st career goal to win Portugal’s UEFA Nations League final against Scotland 2-1 on Sunday night and sparked wild celebrations in Lisbon.
The 39-year-old superstar moved into the 900 club with a goal against Croatia earlier in the week and once again showed his prowess against a confident Scotland side.
Two of Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammates opened the scoring: Bruno Fernandes gave the hosts the lead, but Scott McTominay levelled for Scotland.
Ronaldo then sealed the match by scoring the winner in the 87th minute, sending the stadium into raptures as Portugal pushed hard to avoid an equaliser.
A blistering run from AC Milan star Rafael Leao was followed by a deep cross into the box that initially avoided a crowd of competing players before falling to the feet of Ronaldo, who finished first-time with ease.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 901st career goal to win the UEFA Nations League final for Portugal against Scotland
Ronaldo reached the far post to finish from point-blank range in the final moment of the match.
Ronaldo is on a mission to score 1,000 goals in his career after previously scoring his 900th goal.
He then quickly ran off to celebrate with his national team-mates, who surrounded the Real Madrid and Manchester United legend, who performed his iconic siuuu celebration to the baying crowd.
Ronaldo had started the match on the bench as Portugal coach Roberto Martinez attempted to rest him before calling the veteran into action with the game tied 1-1.
Scotland were unable to recover from the final moments of the match and suffered their second consecutive defeat in a space of three days.
Ronaldo’s goal is the first in his bid to reach 1,000 career goals, having previously outlined his plans to achieve the record-breaking feat despite being in the final years of his career.
“Only I and the people around me know how difficult it is to work every day to be physically and psychologically fit and reach the goal of 900,” Ronaldo said after his first goal since June, which extended his international goal record to 131.
‘It’s a unique milestone in my career and I celebrated that goal with great emotion. It means a lot.
‘It was the number I had wanted to get for a long time and I knew I would get it because as I continued to play, it would happen naturally.
“I have already won two titles with Portugal, something I really wanted. What comes next is spectacular. I dreamed of this and I have more dreams,” he added.
Ronaldo came on at half-time against Scotland and took a rare place among the substitutes, with manager Roberto Martinez later revealing it was the Al-Nassr striker’s decision not to start.
“The question was whether Ronaldo would play the first half and leave or come on and finish the match. That was the decision,” Martinez said.
Ronaldo came off the bench at half-time and punished the Scottish defence by scoring a late winner.
Ronaldo was mobbed by his Portugal teammates as the Lisbon stadium erupted
‘He’s an added value for the national team. When he comes on, if the goalscorer needs goals, Cris gives energy and sensations to the fans, the stadium is different.
‘If Cris leaves, it’s the opposite and it makes it easier for the opponent to do what they would like to do when they play away from home in Portugal. But the important thing is the commitment of all the players.
“The players believe in what they can give or do for the national team and they are ready for it. Cristiano, as captain, has been an example,” he added.
Meanwhile, it was another long night for Scotland which further piles pressure on manager Steve Clarke, who oversaw a torrid Euro 2024 campaign and followed it up with two defeats last week.
