Portugal inches closer to Nations League quarters after draw with Scotland

Photo : AP

Portugal moved closer to securing a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals after a 0-0 draw against Scotland on Tuesday. This match at Hampden Park marked the first points dropped by Roberto Martinez's team in their four games, leaving them at the top of Group A1 with 10 points. They are now three points ahead of Croatia, who drew 3-3 away to Poland. Scotland remains at the bottom of the group with just one point, while Poland sits in third place with four points.

Throughout the match, Portugal dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities but failed to convert them. Cristiano Ronaldo, who had scored in all of their previous three matches, missed a golden chance early in the second half. Unmarked in the box, he attempted a diving header but sent the ball over the bar. The 39-year-old striker earned a mixed response from Scotland's "Tartan Army" when he tried a bicycle kick that sailed wide.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

Scotland had their own moments of promise, with Scott McTominay narrowly missing a header just five minutes into the match. The opportunity arose when Ben Doak laid the ball back to captain Andy Robertson, who delivered a precise cross to an unmarked McTominay. However, his header went straight into the arms of Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

As the match progressed, Scotland's goalkeeper Craig Gordon made several key saves to keep the scoreline level. The Hampden Park crowd erupted when Gordon dived to block a powerful shot from Bruno Fernandes and quickly gathered the ball before Ronaldo could pounce on the rebound. In the closing minutes, Nicky Devlin made an impactful debut for Scotland, coming on as a substitute and making a crucial block to deny Rafael Leao.

Ronaldo's frustration was evident at the final whistle when he was denied a chance to take a corner kick as time expired. He voiced his displeasure to the referee and gestured towards the home fans before leaving the pitch.

For Portugal, a draw in their upcoming home match against Poland on November 15 would guarantee them a place in the knockout stage. They will then face Croatia three days later in their final group game. Meanwhile, although the draw halted Scotland's four-game losing streak, they remain without a victory in competitive matches for ten games.

This outcome emphasizes Portugal's strong position heading into the final matches of the group stage, while Scotland will need to regroup as they continue their search for a crucial win.

#trending #latest #NationsLeague #Portugal #Scotland #CristianoRonaldo #Football #Soccer #GroupA1 #UEFA #SportsNews #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai

During the visit, His Highness toured the exhibition, visiting various local and international pavilions...Read More.

In the first ten months of 2024, Dubai Real Estate Corporation (DREC) and its subsidiary, Wasl Group, saw a 28% rise in revenues compared to 2023...Read More.