The legendary striker pounced to break Scotland hearts as late heartache becomes a habit
With a shake of his right boot Portugal’s poster boy notched goal No.901 in the dying moments then set off on the kind of victory lap which has become a trademark over all these years. Not for a single, fleeting moment will it have occurred to him that a travesty had just been committed.
Clarke clearly believes this is no time to start reinventing the wheel. Not when they’ve been thrown into the fast lane – and in the knowledge the slightest mistake could have catastrophic consequences. It did feel from the start as if this had the potential to quickly become a long night. Yet, just six minutes in, it was Scotland who made the early breakthrough with a goal of breathtaking quality.
Leao’s running battle with Ralston was causing major concern and it could have been level within 10 minutes had Antonio Silva’s header not cleared Angus Gunn’s bar when it ought to have been bulging in the roof of his net. Gunn also had to make a fine save low at his right hand post to keep out Leao’s low drive after Ralston had been corkscrewed along the edge of his own box.
Big Scott McKenna also had to get his frame in the way of a Bruno Fernandes volley. But Clarke’s game plan was working and his players made it to the break still with a lead to defend. As utterly incredible as that seemed. The keeper really ought to have dealt with a hopeful, long-range effort from Fernandes but he was too slow getting across his line and succeeded only in shovelling it into the back of his own net at his left hand post. It left his team in serious trouble yet, quite bizarrely, it was Clarke’s players who reacted to this plot twist with a renewed spring in their steps.
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal Football Team Scott Mctominay Steve Clarke Nations League
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