Scotland player ratings vs. Portugal after the 2-1 defeat at the Nations League match

In the Portuguese capital, Steve Clarke’s injury-plagued team desperately wanted to get back to winning ways after having just one win in 13 games. However, they knew they would face a tough opponent in the eighth-ranked team, who had just made it to the quarterfinals of the Euro 2024 tournament this summer.

Roberto Martinez’s Group A1 favorites also wanted to keep up their great home record. They had won 20 of their last 24 games in all categories. Clarke breathed a sigh of relief before the game when he learned that star player Cristiano Ronaldo had been benched by the hosts. On Thursday, Ronaldo scored the 900th goal of his famous career, which was a big deal.

Scotland went to Lisbon to take on Portugal in their latest UEFA Nations League match but came away with a 2-1 defeat

Scotland’s dreadful run of form continued as evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo stepped off the bench to grab a late Nations League goal for Portugal at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

Following seven previous trips to Portugal without a win, Andy Roxburgh’s team were humiliated 5-0 in a World Cup qualifier. They were going to the place where that terrible loss happened. They rode their luck this time, but they were able to leave with their heads held high even though they lost by a score of 2-1.

Surprisingly, the visitors broke the tie after only seven minutes when Napoli new boy Scott McTominay headed Kenny McLean’s excellent first-time cross from the left into the far corner. McTominay now has 10 goals in 17 competitive games for Scotland.

The shocking first goal seemed to scare the Scots, though, as they quickly pulled back, letting the Portuguese attack in waves. Rafael Leao down the right side was the biggest threat.

Even though the home team had 16 shots on goal and a lot of control in the first half, a surprise was likely because they were defending well, not finishing well, and Angus Gunn was playing great in goal.

In the end, that didn’t last long because Portugal brought Ronaldo off the bench to start the second half. The 39-year-old was playing against Scotland for the first time in his 21-year international career.

And after 54 minutes, their pressure finally paid off when another mistake by a single player put the Scots out of the game. Gunn let Bruno Fernandes’ twisting long-range shot sneak into the net, and after that it was only going one way.

Ronaldo hit the post twice before finally getting Nuno Mendes’ cross over the line in the 88th minute. It was Ronaldo’s 901st goal of his career and his 132nd for his country.

With this loss, Scotland has now gone a whole year without a meaningful win, following their last-second loss to Poland on Thursday. They have only won one of their last 14 games, which is very disappointing.

1. Angus Gunn – 6/10

2. Anthony Ralston – 5/10

3. Grant Hanley – 4/10

3. Grant Hanley – 4/10

5. Andy Robertson – 6/10

6. Kenny McLean – 5/10

7. Billy Gilmour – 6/10

8. Scott McTominay – 8/10

9. John McGinn – 5/10

10. Ryan Christie – 8/10

11. Lyndon Dykes – 6/10

12. Ryan Gauld (SUB) – 3/10

13. Tommy Conway (SUB) – 3/10

14. Lewis Morgan (SUB) – N/A

15. Ben Doak (SUB) – N/A