Cristiano Ronaldo reached an important milestone by scoring his 900th career goal during Portugal's 2-1 victory over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.
Portugal Beats Croatia 2-1 in a Match Full of Twists and Turns
This achievement came in the 34th minute of the match, when the 39-year-old Ronaldo showed his legendary instincts when he turned Nuno Mendes' cross into a perfectly executed volley past Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
The celebration in Lisbon not only highlighted Ronaldo's continued influence on the game, but also contributed to Portugal's overall success in the match.
The match began with Diogo Dalot opening the scoring for Portugal early in the match. A precise combination with Bruno Fernandes allowed Dalot to receive a perfectly measured pass from his Manchester United teammate before sending the ball into the back of the net.
Dalot's 34th-minute goal gave Portugal an early lead, but their performance later took an unfortunate turn. Just four minutes before halftime, Dalot made a mistake while trying to clear a cross and ended up scoring in his own goal, giving Croatia an unexpected chance to get back into the match, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Despite Dalot's own goal, Portugal remained dominant for much of the match. For their part, Croatia struggled to create clear-cut chances. Luka Modric, usually a key figure in the Croatian midfield, was notably ineffective, reflecting a decline in his performance as age begins to affect him.
His influence was further reduced when, in the last 10 minutes of the match, Ivan Perisic assumed the captain's armband, signaling a possible change in the Croatian team's leadership dynamic.
Ronaldo scores his 900th goal
Ronaldo's goal, which marked his 900th, was undoubtedly the highlight of the match. Showing quick reflexes and precise positioning, Ronaldo seized the opportunity provided by Mendes' cross for a clinical finish, securing Portugal's lead.
Despite the vast amount of games Ronaldo has played, with more than 1,235 professional matches, his athleticism and goal-scoring ability remain remarkable, cementing his place as one of the best players in the game. soccer players of all time, even as he approaches 40 years of age.
Dalot's own goal gave Croatia hope of an equalizer, as Andrej Kramaric was involved in the play that led to the defensive error. Kramaric himself had a chance later in the match to level the score, but his shot went wide, leaving Croatia's hopes of a comeback unsuccessful.
Croatia managed to increase the offensive pressure late in the match, but Portugal's defense, led by experienced players such as Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo, held firm.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez decided to keep much of the team that had struggled in the summer 2023 campaign. This continuity seemed to pay off, as the team showed improved coordination and control against a Croatian side that struggled to match his intensity.
Martinez's tactical adjustments, particularly by maintaining control in midfield and using Mendes and Nelson Semedo on the flanks, allowed Portugal to dictate the pace of the game for most of the match.
Modric Loses Protagonism
For Croatia, the match highlighted deeper problems in the team. While young players like Martin Baturina showed flashes of promise in midfield, the team as a whole seemed to lack the cohesion and sharpness needed to challenge a top team like Portugal.
Baturina was replaced by Igor Matanovic, another young talent who injected some energy into the Croatian game in the final moments of the match, but these flashes of youthful potential did little to mask the signs of aging within the team.
Luka Modric, 38, struggled to influence the game, and his substitution towards the end of the match underscored the challenges Croatia faces in remaining competitive with an aging core of players.
In the wider context of Group A1 in the Nations League, Poland's dramatic 3-2 win over Scotland, secured by a 97th minute penalty from Nicola Zalewski, put them top of the group standings, overtaking Portugal on the basis of goals scored.
Despite this, Portugal's victory over Croatia was crucial, as it gave them a strong start to the competition and improved their morale after a series of disappointing performances in recent international tournaments.
Key players for Portugal included Cristiano Ronaldo, who was deservedly named Man of the Match, not only for his historic 900th goal, but also for his overall influence on the game.
Bruno Fernandes also played an instrumental role, particularly in setting up Portugal's opening goal. Defensively, Nuno Mendes and Nelson Semedo were active, contributing both defensively and in attack, while Croatia struggled to contain them.
⏹️ 94′ ENDS THE GAME IN THE STADIUM OF LIGHT! ⏰
Estreia na #NationsLeague com uma 𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗢́𝗥𝗜𝗔! ☝️😁 #PartilhaAPaixão pic.twitter.com/wEusQlocel
- Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 5, 2024
The Most Important Plays
The match featured several notable moments that shaped the outcome. In the 7th minute, Diogo Dalot's goal gave Portugal an early lead, finishing calmly under pressure after a precise assist from Bruno Fernandes.
Later, in the 23rd minute, Ronaldo came close to scoring his historic goal, but his shot was saved by Livakovic. Finally, in the 34th minute, Ronaldo made history with his volley, a goal that not only extended Portugal's lead, but also cemented his place as one of the top scorers in soccer history.
Meanwhile, Dalot's own goal in the 41st minute gave Croatia hope of a comeback, but Portugal's defense held firm, resisting a late surge from the Croatian attack.
Tactically, Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic sought to revitalize his team by replacing Modric with Perisic in the closing minutes, hoping for fresh legs and more attacking options.
Despite some late chances, including one from Kramaric that went wide, Croatia could not find the equalizer. Portugal's defense proved resilient, managing to preserve their narrow lead and securing three valuable points.
Overall, this win was important for Portugal as they look to regain their form in the Nations League and prepare for future challenges. Croatia, meanwhile, face a period of reflection as the aging core of their team struggles to maintain the level of competitiveness that brought them success in past tournaments.
