Ronaldo and Silva Score as Portugal Defeats Poland

Portugal secured a 3-1 victory against Poland in the Nations League on Saturday, with first-half goals from Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo setting the tone for the win. This result maintains Portugal’s perfect start in Group A1, as they top the group with three wins.

Silva opened the scoring in the 26th minute, converting a headed assist from Bruno Fernandes. Captain Ronaldo followed up 11 minutes later, netting his 133rd international goal with a quick shot after Rafael Leao’s attempt struck the post.

Poland managed to pull one back in the 78th minute when Piotr Zielinski powered a shot into the top of the net, but their hopes were dashed when defender Jan Bednarek scored an own goal in the final moments of the match.

Portugal now leads Group A1 with nine points, three ahead of Croatia, who came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 earlier in the day. Poland, after a win over Scotland in their opener followed by a loss to Croatia, are third with three points, while Scotland remains without a point.

Poland began the game strongly, with Robert Lewandowski nearly connecting with a cross early on, but Portugal soon took control. Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski was kept busy, saving an effort from Diogo Dalot and later tipping a curled shot from Fernandes over the bar.

Portugal’s dominance paid off when Silva broke through Poland’s defense for the opening goal, followed by Ronaldo’s calm finish after Leao’s near miss. The 39-year-old forward, who had scored in Portugal’s previous two matches against Scotland and Croatia, notched his 11th goal of the season for both club and country.

In the second half, Ronaldo had a chance to add a third but passed to Fernandes, who sent his shot over the bar. Lewandowski then narrowly missed a header, providing a brief moment of hope for Poland.

Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, continued to manage Ronaldo’s playing time, substituting him in the 63rd minute for Diogo Jota. Zielinski’s goal gave Poland a spark, but they couldn’t find an equalizer before Bednarek’s own goal sealed their defeat and ended their two-year unbeaten run at home.