Portugal 2-1 Croatia: Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 900 career goals in Nations League win

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 900^th professional goal in his career and helped his Portuguese team win against Croatia in the first-round match of UEFA Nations League 2-1. The 39-year-old scored the second goal for Portugal in the 34^th minute after Diogo Dalot put the hosts ahead. There was still time for Dalot to put the ball into his net and make it 2-1 but Portugal stood firm to get the three points.

 Ronaldo’s goal was a record-breaking one and it came in style. Nuno Mendes made a perfect cross from the left flank and Ronaldo, who was right on the spot, headed it into the back of the net past Croatia’s goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic, which was followed by wild celebrations among the fans in Lisbon. It not only took Ronaldo’s career tally to 900 but also highlighted the fact that he remained football’s ultimate authority after becoming the first* footballer to achieve this great feat.

The beginning of the match was in favor of Portugal as they took control of the game with a lot of possession and high pressure. For Martinez’s side, Diogo Dalot put the team ahead after a great combination play by Fernandes who made his way past the Croatian defenders and then provided the ball to his Manchester United teammate to score a fantastic goal. But, for Dalot, his evening was marred by a comical own goal that he scored in the minutes leading to the halftime break, which gave Croatia a fighting chance.

However, apart from the goal that was scored, Croatia was unable to create clear chances most of the time. Croatia struggled to contain the Portuguese team, especially after Luka Modric failed to dictate play in the middle of the park. The last 20 minutes were the only time Croatia looked to get back into the game with Andrej Kramaric involved in their attempts to equalize the match. But in the last moments before the final whistle, he took a shot and missed, keeping Croatia from capitalizing on it.

In the other match of Group A1, Poland became early favorites after a thrilling 3-2 win over Scotland with a stoppage-time penalty conversion by Nicola Zalewski. Although Portugal won the match, they are second in the group based on goal difference. Portugal’s performance, with Ronaldo as the leader, could not have been better for the Nations League match.

*Pele scored 1000 career goals but there are debates concerning the authority of the goals.

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