Nations League: Stronger Ronaldo makes Portugal cheer

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken another impressive mark in world football. In the 2-1 (2-1) Nations League opener against Croatia in Lisbon, the 39-year-old superstar scored his 900th career goal on Thursday (September 5, 2024).

The Portugal captain celebrated the interim 2-0 after 34 minutes with appropriate emotion. It was Ronaldo’s 131st goal in 213 international matches. No other footballer in the world has scored more international matches and goals in the national team jersey.

Dalot hits his own goal with a heel kick

In the Estádio da Luz of Portugal’s record champion Benfica, Diogo Dalot scored the early lead for the home team (7th minute). This was followed by Ronaldo’s great performance, who effortlessly pushed a precise cross from Nuno Mendes over the goal line from just a few meters.

Dalot scored the third goal again – but this time on the wrong side (41′). In an attempt to save the ball, he scored a spectacular but unfortunate goal with a heel shot into his own net.

Ovations when Ronaldo is substituted

Ronaldo, who had missed other good opportunities to score a second goal, but who overall played really well, was helpful to the team and was much more relaxed than at the European Championships, left the pitch in the 87th minute to the cheers of the fans.

Red for Elvedi and Xhaka

In the second match of Group 1 in League A, Poland won 3-2 (2-0) in Scotland. Defending champions Spain could only manage a 0-0 draw in Serbia in Group 4, while Denmark won 2-0 (0-0) against Switzerland.

The Swiss ended the party with nine players. Gladbach’s Nico Elvedi was shown the red card after an emergency tackle (52nd minute), Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka (87th) was sent off with a second yellow card. In the final phase, Patrick Dorgu (82nd) ​​and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg (90th+2) scored the Danish victory.

Lewandowski travels for Poland

In Glasgow’s Hamden Park, Robert Lewandowski set up Sebastian Szymanski’s 1-0 goal for the visitors (8th minute), and the FC Barcelona star striker scored the second goal himself from the penalty spot (44th minute). Immediately after the break, Billy Gilmour (46th minute) and Scott McTominay (76th minute) even made it 2-2. When everything was pointing towards a draw, Nicola Zalewski (90th minute+7th minute/penalty) scored the winning goal deep into injury time.

San Marino celebrates first victory in 20 years

After 20 years, football dwarf San Marino has finally celebrated its second victory – again against Liechtenstein. At the start of the Nations League, the last-placed team in the FIFA world rankings won 1-0 (0-0) in Group D1 against the same opponents against whom it had recorded the first victory in its football history (1-0) on April 28, 2004.

19-year-old Nicko Sensoli scored the only goal (53′). 20 years ago, Andy Selva, who still holds the record with eight goals for the national team, scored San Marino’s historic victory. National coach Roberto Cevoli, who made his debut on the sidelines in March, improved his record to one win, one draw and three defeats.