Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a masterclass performance, scoring twice, including a spectacular bicycle kick, as Portugal stormed into the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals with a commanding 5-1 victory over Poland in Group A1 on Friday.

Portugal broke the deadlock in the second half through Rafael Leão before Ronaldo embarked on his scoring spree. The former Real Madrid talisman struck his first goal from the penalty spot and later added another, complementing goals by Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto. Poland’s Dominik Marczuk scored a late consolation goal in the 88th minute.

“The first half was disappointing compared to what we had planned; we lost focus and became frustrated. However, the second half was the best performance I’ve witnessed,” said Portugal manager Roberto Martínez. “We adjusted our mindset, raised the intensity, and supported one another. Poland were not allowed to play their game.”

Portugal Secures Top Spot in Group A1

With this victory, Portugal remained unbeaten and secured the top spot in the group with 13 points, six ahead of second-placed Croatia. Croatia, meanwhile, fell to a 1-0 defeat against Scotland. Although Scotland remain at the bottom of the group, they are now level on four points with third-placed Poland.

How Portugal Netted Five Goals Against Poland

The final group matches are scheduled for Monday, with Poland hosting Scotland and Portugal travelling to face Croatia. Portugal had already ended Poland’s two-year unbeaten home streak with a 3-1 victory in Warsaw last month. Yet, in this encounter, the visitors faced stiff resistance from Poland during the first half.

Despite missing star striker Robert Lewandowski due to a back injury, Poland still posed a significant threat early on, registering three shots on target before the break. Bartosz Bereszyński came close in the 12th minute, but Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa made a crucial save. Costa was later called into action to stop a powerful strike from Krzysztof Zalewski at the edge of the box.

Portugal struggled to find their rhythm offensively in the first half, with both Rafael Leão and Cristiano Ronaldo missing key opportunities before the interval. However, the second half marked a dramatic turnaround. Portugal seized control, dominating possession and scoring five unanswered goals.

Rafael Leão opened the floodgates following a swift counterattack, converting a perfectly delivered cross from Nuno Mendes. Ronaldo doubled the lead from the penalty spot after a handball was called in the box. Bruno Fernandes then added a third with a magnificent long-range effort that struck the underside of the bar before going in.

Substitute Pedro Neto extended the lead to 4-0 with a precise finish in the 83rd minute, and Ronaldo put the finishing touches on the victory with his 135th international goal—an acrobatic bicycle kick in the 87th minute that left the crowd in awe.

Poland managed a late consolation through Marczuk, who scored his maiden international goal. Despite drawing against Scotland earlier in October, Portugal’s emphatic triumph guaranteed a fourth consecutive top-two finish in the competition.