Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 901st career goal to help Portugal win 2-1 over Scotland in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday evening, sparking wild celebrations in Lisbon.
The 39-year-old legend joined the 900 club earlier this week with a goal against Croatia and demonstrated his ability against a confident Scotland team.
Two of Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammates began the scoring, with Bruno Fernandes giving the hosts the lead before Scott McTominay drew Scotland level.
Ronaldo then ended the game by poking home an 87th-minute winner that triggered ecstasy within the stadium as Portugal fought hard to prevent a tie.
A blazing run by AC Milan’s Rafael Leao was followed by a long cross into the box that first avoided a swarm of opposing players before falling at Ronaldo’s feet, who converted first time with ease.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 901st career goal to help Portugal win their UEFA Nations League match against Scotland.
Ronaldo appeared at the back-post tap in a close-range finish in the final minutes of the game.
Ronaldo is on a journey to score 1000 career goals, having already reached his 900th hit.
He then dashed off to celebrate with his national team teammates, who surrounded the Real Madrid and Manchester United veteran, who performed his legendary siuuu celebration for the raucous audience.
Ronaldo began the encounter on the bench as Portugal manager Roberto Martinez wanted to rest him before summoning him into action when the game was tied at 1-1.
Scotland were unable to mount a comeback in the dying minutes of the game, falling to their second successive defeat in three days.
Ronaldo’s goal marks the first in his quest to reach 1000 career goals, having previously stated his intention to do so despite being in his latter years.
‘Only myself and the people around me know how difficult it is to work every day to be physically and psychologically fit and reach goal number 900,’ Ronaldo stated after scoring his first goal since June, extending his international record to 131.
‘It is a one-of-a-kind milestone in my career, and I celebrated it with great emotion. It represents a lot.
‘It was a figure I had set for myself for a long time, and I felt it would come effortlessly as I continued to play.
‘I’ve already won two titles for Portugal, which I really wanted. Whatever happens next is wonderful. I dreamed of this, and I have other dreams,’ he said.
Ronaldo came on as a half-time substitute against Scotland, and head coach Roberto Martinez later claimed that the Al-Nassr striker chose not to start.
The question was whether Ronaldo would play the first half and then leave or come in and finish the game. “That was the decision,” Martinez added.
Ronaldo came from the bench at halftime and punished Scotland’s defence by scoring a late winner.
Ronaldo was surrounded by his Portugal teammates as the Lisbon stadium exploded.
‘He is valuable to the national squad. When he comes in, if the scorer needs goals, Cris instills energy and emotion in the spectators, and the stadium changes.
‘If Cris leaves, the opposite happens, allowing the opponent to do what they want when playing away in Portugal. But what matters most is that all of the players are committed.
‘The players are confident in their abilities and ready to contribute to the National Team. “Cristiano was an excellent captain,” he added.
Meanwhile, it was another lengthy evening for Scotland, putting extra more pressure on manager Steve Clarke, who led a disastrous Euro 2024 campaign and has since suffered two defeats.
