Scotland denied me perfect birthday – Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes says tough opponents Scotland ensured he did not have a “perfect” 30th birthday despite his equaliser helping Portugal come from behind to win 2-1 in Sunday’s Nations League Group A1 game in Lisbon.

Former Manchester United team-mate Scott McTominay had given the visitors an early lead, but Fernandes’ long-range drive deceived goalkeeper Angus Gunn before veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo slotted a late winner.

“Not perfect – I would have preferred it to be less difficult,” United midfielder Fernandes told the Portugal FA website. “But it’s always gratifying to score for the national team.

“On your birthday, you win and you can celebrate how good our people are.”

Head coach Roberto Martinez also had praise for Steve Clarke’s side.

“We had a difficult match – it was quite a challenge,” he said. “Scotland are physical, strong, they attack very fast.

“It is very important for us to win a very difficult game, because we were 1-0 down against a Scotland side who have a very high intensity.”

Martinez explained that Ronaldo had started on the bench despite his 900th career goal in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Croatia because, at 39, the Al Nassr striker was unable to play two full games so close together.

However, he said: “Cristiano is in a very good moment. It is September, he has played three games for the club. The important thing is that we need to protect all the players.

“I liked his commitment. He is an incredible player.”

Paris St-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes, who also came on as a substitute to assist a Ronaldo goal for the second game running, said: “It was a tough game.

“We are a team that likes to have the ball and control the game, but that wasn’t possible and we ended up getting a bit involved in Scotland’s game – they were looking to counterattack.

“But it was a good game for us and it was a deserved victory.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool winger Diogo Jota praised Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn, pointing out that “we had a lot of chances”, and added that it was vital that Portugal started with two home wins.