Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 901st career goal to win Portugal’s UEFA Nations League contest against Scotland 2-1 on Sunday evening and spark wild celebrations in Lisbon.
The 39-year-old superstar moved into the 900 club with a goal against Croatia earlier in the week and again showing his prowess when facing a confident Scotland side.
Two of Ronaldo’s former Manchester United team-mates opened the scoring with Bruno Fernandes giving the hosts the lead only for Scott McTominay to pull Scotland level.
Ronaldo then saw out the match by prodding home an 87th-minute winner that sparked ecstasy inside the ground as Portugal pushed hard to avoid a draw.
A blistering run by AC Milan star Rafael Leao was followed by a deep cross into the box that initially avoided a mob of competing players before dropping at the feet of Ronaldo who finished first time with ease.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 901st career goal to win Portugal’s UEFA Nations League contest against Scotland
Ronaldo arrived at the back-post tap in a close-range finish in the dying embers of the game
Ronaldo is on a mission to score 1000 career goals after previously bringing up his 900th strike
He then quickly ran off celebrating with his national team colleagues who mobbed the Real Madrid and Man United legend who struck his iconic siuuu celebration for the baying crowd.
Ronaldo had started the match on the bench as Portugal boss Roberto Martinez sought to rest him before calling the veteran into action when the match was level at 1-1.
Scotland were unable to fightback in the game’s dying embers as they slumped to a second consecutive defeat in the space of three days.
Ronaldo’s strike is the first in his bid to reach 1000 career goals after previously outlining his plans to achieve the record-breaking number despite being in the twilight years of his career.
‘Only me and the people around me know how difficult it is to work daily to be physically and psychologically well and reach goal 900,’ said Ronaldo following his first strike since June, which extended his record international haul to 131.
‘It’s a unique milestone in my career and it was with a lot of emotion I celebrated that goal. It represents a lot.
‘It was the number I wanted to achieve for a long time and I knew I would achieve it because, as I continue to play, it would happen naturally.
‘I already won two trophies for Portugal, something I really wanted. Whatever comes next is spectacular. I dreamed of this and I have more dreams,’ he added.
Ronaldo came on at half-time against Scotland as he took a rare place amongst the subs and head coach Roberto Martinez later revealed it was the Al-Nassr striker’s choice to not start.
‘The question was whether Ronaldo played the first half and left or came in and finished the game. That was the decision,’ said Martinez.
Ronaldo came off the bench at half-time and punished Scotland’s defence by scoring a late winner
Ronaldo was mobbed by his Portugal team-mates as the Lisbon stadium erupted
‘He is an asset to the national team. When he comes in, if the scorer needs goals, Cris gives energy and a feeling to the fans, the stadium is different.
‘If Cris leaves, it’s the opposite and facilitates what the opponent would like to do when playing away from home in Portugal. But the important thing is the commitment of all the players.
‘The players believe in what they can give or do for the National Team and are prepared for it. Cristiano, as captain, was exemplary,’ he added.
Meanwhile, it was another long evening for Scotland that ramps more pressure on boss Steve Clarke who oversaw a torrid Euro 2024 campaign and following that up with two defeats in the past week.
