Cristiano Ronaldo once again showcased his legendary status on Sunday, scoring his 132nd international goal for Portugal in their 2-1 victory over Scotland in the Nations League. The 39-year-old came on as a halftime substitute and delivered a decisive strike in the 88th minute, securing the win for his team.
Ronaldo started the match on the bench but was brought on as a second-half substitute after Portugal conceded an early goal.
Scotland went ahead through Scott McTominay in the seventh minute before an equalizer from the edge of the area by Bruno Fernandes in the 54th.
Ronaldo immediately made an impact, striking both posts within seconds. He looked like an ever-present danger in Lisbon, demonstrating that he is far from finished as a force in international football—especially against struggling Scotland.
Ronaldo failed to score in all five games at the recent European Championship, but Portugal coach Robert Martinez has kept faith with the country’s greatest player and is reaping the rewards.
This goal marked another historic milestone for Ronaldo, as it was his 901st career goal across all competitions, adding yet another chapter to his remarkable career.
Ronaldo, who scored his 900th career goal in a 2-1 win over Croatia, has officially begun his quest for 1,000.
" Dois jogos, duas vitórias ! Obrigado por todo o apoio, Portugal! " – wrote Ronaldo on X after the game.
Dois jogos, duas vitórias 🇵🇹 Obrigado por todo o apoio, Portugal! pic.twitter.com/YiwMuVGs04
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) September 8, 2024
Earlier, speaking on his longevity, Ronaldo had said, "Year after year, we're always trying to improve certain things. There's always room for improvement. I think I am a complete player, but there are always things I can perfect."
"That's the key word. If a player wants to have longevity, they need to have a strong adaptability and the characteristics for that adaptation."