You knew he’d do it - Cristiano Ronaldo into the record books yet again

Portugal has officially secured a place in the Nations League quarterfinals, dominating their group with a decisive 5-1 victory over Poland. For the Poles, the defeat leaves them battling to avoid relegation to League B. However, the night belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo, who, at 39 years and 284 days, set a new record as the oldest player to score for Portugal.

The veteran forward netted twice, showcasing his enduring brilliance. Alongside Ronaldo, Rafael Leão—seemingly back in favor at AC Milan under coach Paulo Fonseca—played a pivotal role in Portugal’s attack. Behind them, the Premier League trio of Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), and Pedro Neto (Chelsea) orchestrated a dominant performance that overwhelmed Poland early on, though Portugal’s shape faltered slightly as the first half progressed.

Poland’s early resistance without Lewandowski

Despite missing star striker Robert Lewandowski, Poland tested Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa twice before the half-hour mark. Shots from Nicola Zalewski and Bartosz Bereszyński forced Costa into action, though the Porto keeper managed to keep his net intact. The Polish side’s misfortune continued when Bereszyński suffered an injury, leading to his substitution by Jakub Kamiński in the 32nd minute. Striker Krzysztof Piątek also came close to breaking the deadlock, but Portugal managed to reach halftime unscathed.

Second-half dominance

Portugal came alive in the second half, driven by the introduction of Vitinha, whose midfield presence stabilized the team’s play. In the 59th minute, Nuno Mendes delivered a pinpoint cross to Leão, who headed the ball into the net with clinical precision. Moments later, a handball by Poland’s Jakub Kiwior in the penalty area gave Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to convert from the spot. The goal not only extended Portugal’s lead but also secured Ronaldo’s historic milestone as Portugal’s oldest scorer, surpassing his former teammate Pepe.

The floodgates opened soon after. Bruno Fernandes unleashed a stunning strike into the top corner, and Pedro Neto finished off a counterattack, effectively sealing the game. Ronaldo then capped off the night with a spectacular overhead kick from a Vitinha cross, completing his brace and Portugal’s emphatic performance.

Late consolation for Poland

Poland managed a consolation goal in the dying minutes through Kamil Marczuk, but it did little to diminish Portugal’s dominance. With this victory, Portugal advances confidently to the quarterfinals, cementing their status as one of the tournament favorites. For Cristiano Ronaldo, the night was another testament to his unmatched longevity and knack for rewriting the record books.