Uefa Nations League: Cristiano Ronaldo extends goalscoring record as Portugal beat Poland

Al Nassr striker takes international tally to 133 in 3-1 win over Poland, while Spain beat Denmark

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Rafael Leao and Renato Veiga after scoring Portugal's second goal against Poland. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo extended his record-setting international goalscoring tally to 133 to help Portugal maintain their perfect start to the Uefa Nations League with a 3-1 win over Poland on Saturday, while Spain struck late to edge Denmark 1-0.

The 39-year-old Al Nassr captain was there to put in the rebound after Rafael Leao's shot hit the post in the 37th minute. That made it 2-0 following Bernardo Silva's opener in Warsaw in the 11 minutes earlier.

After failing to find the net in his five appearances at this summer’s European Championship, with Portugal exiting in the quarterfinals, Ronaldo has scored in three straight Nations League matches, including in wins over Croatia – his 900th career goal – and Scotland last month.

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez replaced Ronaldo with Diogo Jota with just under half an hour to play.

Midfielder Piotr Zielinski halved the deficit in the 78th for the hosts, only for Southampton defender Jan Bednarek to score an own goal with two minutes left.

Bernardo Silva scored Portugal's first goal against Poland. AFP

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski started alongside Karol Swiderski but the Polish attacking pair couldn’t find their way past the Portuguese defence.

“We worked very hard the last few days, preparing various solutions for this game, and we were able to show it on the pitch. I am really satisfied because we controlled this game," Martínez said. “Also, I am satisfied how Renato Veiga and Ruben Dias performed against one of the best in the world [in Lewandowski].”

Portugal lead Group A1 with nine points from three games. Second-place Croatia have six points after they fought back to beat Scotland 2-1 in Zagreb with the visitors having an equaliser deep into second-half stoppage time ruled out by VAR. Poland have three points, and Scotland none.

Ryan Christie opened for the Scots and their under-fire manager Steve Clarke in the 33rd minute before Igor Matanovic leveled three minutes later and Andrej Kramaric completed the fightback in the 70th.

Scotland had the ball in the net right at the end with substitute Che Adams involved but VAR confirmed it was offside.

Zubimendi shines in Rodri’s spot

Martín Zubimendi scored Spain's only goal against Denmark. AP

Martín Zubimendi helped Spain crack Denmark's defence as the holding midfielder starred in place of injured Rodri.

The Real Sociedad player unleashed a powerful volley in the 79th minute to smash a rebound from outside the area past Kasper Schmeichel, who got his hand on the ball but couldn’t keep it out.

Zubimendi had impressed in the final of Euro 2024 when he replaced Rodri for the second half of Spain’s 2-1 win over England. Rodri seriously injured his right knee and required surgery on his ACL while playing for Manchester City last month.

“Martín is a treasure," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. “I suppose with his goal he will get more attention, but his play, the fact that he’s got a computer in his brain, means we are privileged to have him at a time when Rodri will be out for a while.”

Spain were also missing Nico Williams and Dani Olmo, two more players who excelled at the Euros who are sidelined with minor injuries.

Spain, the defending Nations League champions, have seven points in Group A4 after three games. Denmark have six points, and Serbia have four after beating the pointless Switzerland 2-0.

The Swiss didn’t help their cause with an own-goal by Nico Elvedi right before the interval. In-former Al Hilal striker Aleksandar Mitrovic doubled the lead for Serbia with a solo effort in the 61st, and Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic saved a penalty taken by Breel Embolo.

Elsewhere, Kosovo won 2-1 away to Lithuania in League C, while Romania thumped Cyprus 3-0, Northern Ireland drew 0-0 at Belarus, and Bulgaria were held 0-0 at home by Luxembourg.