Portugal beat Poland with Ronaldo’s help?

Portugal defeated Poland 5-1 in the Nations League quarterfinals on Friday thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s two goals. Portugal joins France, Germany, Italy, and Spain in the final eight as Poland’s Group A1 ambitions die.

Portugal accelerated after the break after struggling to score. Rafael Leao started and finished the move to break the deadlock in Porto before the hour. The AC Milan striker sped away and passed to Nuno Mendes, who powerfully headed a left-wing cross past Marcin Bulka in the Portugal goal.

After Jakub Kiwior was penalized for a handball, captain Ronaldo scored 13 minutes later. Vitinha’s excellent move set up Bruno Fernandes’ 80th-minute goal for Manchester United.

Pedro Neto scored the fourth three minutes later after Ronaldo’s lovely ball trapped the Polish defense. As Polish morale dwindled, Ronaldo scored his second and Portugal’s fifth in the 87th minute with a fantastic overhead kick before Dominik Marczuk scored a consolation goal.

Before falling behind, Poland had the better chances, but record goal-scorer Robert Lewandowski was out with a back injury. Diogo Costa saved Marczuk and Nicola Zalewski in the first half before Leao’s goal.

Ronaldo’s close-range shot over the bar was Portugal’s greatest chance in the first 45 minutes.