Scotland began life in UEFA Nations League A with defeat in a five-goal thriller against Poland and they face an even tougher task when they visit group-favourites Portugal on Sunday.
The Selecao were helped to victory by Cristiano Ronaldo’s 900th career goal on Thursday and they are expected to cruise to another win against Steve Clarke’s struggling Scots in Lisbon.
- PORTUGAL OVER 2.5 TEAM GOALS
- CRISTIANO RONALDO TO SCORE ANYTIME
Selecao To Punish Scots
A rash challenge from Grant Hanley gave away a needless penalty to consign Scotland to defeat against Poland, and that late mistake was the perfect illustration of the flaws in this leaky Scottish defence.
All three Polish goals came from avoidable situations and Scottish mistakes, and Sunday’s opponents have an array of talents even better equipped to take advantage of defensive errors.
Talisman Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal and his 131st for his country in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia on Thursday, but he is far from the only attacking force that Steve Clarke must try to keep quiet.
Ronaldo was accompanied by Pedro Neto and Rafael Leao in the Selecao’s attack against Croatia, with playmaker extraordinaire Bruno Fernandes patrolling a three-man midfield. With Joao Felix and Diogo Jota among those lying in wait on the bench, another heavy defeat could be on the cards.
Roberto Martinez’s side wilted in the European Championship this summer, but they scored a phenomenal 36 goals in ten Euro 2024 qualifiers and have scored at least three goals in seven of their last ten home matches.
They beat Scotland 3-1 in their last meeting in 2018 and have netted ten goals in their last three encounters, so they can bag a few against a Tartan Army outfit who shipped three against Poland on Thursday and were demolished 5-1 by Germany in their Euro 2024 opener.
Ronaldo To Hit New Scoring Heights
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal against Croatia and while his powers may be waning with age, there is no denying the Portugal talisman still has an eye for goal.
He has scored a record 131 international goals and was second in the Euro 2024 qualifying goalscoring charts, while his performances for Al Nassr have not disappointed.
The 39-year-old has scored in both Al Nassr games this season to make it 37 goals in 33 Saudi Pro League appearances since the start of last season, taking his overall tally to 68 goals in 74 competitive outings for the Saudi club.
Manager Roberto Martinez may be justifiably criticised for Ronaldo’s continued inclusion, but when he plays he is the focal point for the team. Ronaldo looks a good bet to take one of the many chances likely to fall his way after having four attempts on goal against a Croatia side much more defensively resilient than the visiting Scots.
