At the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, the Al Nassr player scored the second goal for Portugal and the 900th of his career
After finishing blank in the Euro Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo He recovered his goal with his national team on Thursday and scored the 900th goal of his career, with which he led Portugal to victory (2-1) against Croatia On the first day of the Nations League.
At the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, the footballer of Al Nassr He scored the second goal for the team led by Roberto Martinezwho had already taken the lead earlier with a goal from Diogo Dalot.
Cristiano celebrates with Portugal against Croatia EPA/JOSE SENA GOULAO
The player himself Manchester United helped to Croatia to close the gap with an own goal, still in the first half, but those of Modric They were unable to move the score any further.
Both teams came into the match needing to show their best football after a Eurocup a little disappointing: Croatia They fell in the group stage – which they shared with the champion Spain – and Portugal went home in the quarter-finals on penalties.
With anticipation, they took to the field less than three months after their last match, a friendly in Portugal which Croatia won 1-2. This time, the balance tipped in favour of the Portuguese.
The match quickly turned in the Portuguese’s favour, with a goal in the 7th minute from Diogo Dalot, who made his way into the area, received a ball from Bruno Fernandes and sent it into the net.
The midfielder of the Manchester United He had tried this shortly before without success, but it served to warn Livakovic, who had to clear a ball that was going in.
Despite the advantage of Portugal, Croatia He did not give up and tried with a shot of Modric from the edge of the area that crashed into the side netting.
He also made Diogo Costa work, who had to show his good goalkeeping skills to clear a shot from Kramaric.
Tribute to Pepe in Portugal Carlos Rodrigues – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
But it was clearly Cristiano who was looking for the goal, who needed to show that at 39 years old he is still capable of contributing to his team, and that is what he did.
He first warned Livakovic with a shot between the three posts that the Croatian goalkeeper saved, and then crowned himself with success in the 34th minute.
In the heart of the area, he received the ball from Nuno Mendes, which became the 900th goal of his football career, which he celebrated amid the chants of his fans who chanted his name.
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Still with the hangover from the goal of Christian, Croatia managed to reduce the deficit a few minutes before the break, when a ball pushed by Sosa bounced off Diogo Dalot’s leg and went in.
After the match resumed, it was Portugal who managed to create more danger, with Cristiano Ronaldo at the center of many attacking plays.
The player of the Al Nassr He saw a shot go wide after grazing an opponent and forced the Croatian goalkeeper to intervene on several occasions, while also having to stop Nuno Mendes.
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Croatia was gaining momentum and tried with a shot from Matanovic that went wide of the goal, but he was unable to move the scoreboard and prevent the victory of Portugal.
Near the end, Martinez changed to Cristianowho left to a standing ovation from the entire stadium.
Portugal continues its journey in the Nations League against Scotland on Sunday, when Croatia will visit Poland.
