Portugal player ratings vs Poland: Cristiano Ronaldo puts the cherry on top! Icon’s awesome bicycle kick rounds off comfortable win after Bruno Fernandes & Rafael Leao strike in five-star showing for Roberto Martinez’s men
The Selecao's biggest stars turned on the style to blow their opponents away in the second half and march into the last eight
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Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace as five second-half goals from Portugal ensured they topped their Nations League group after a 5-1 thrashing of a sorry Poland side.
The visitors, who held a slim chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the competition, were the better team in the first half, with Bartosz Bereszynski and Krzysztof Piatek going closest. An uninspired Portugal, on the other hand, looked lacklustre – summed up by poor finishes from Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
Roberto Martinez’s team greatly improved in the second half and scored a brilliant breakaway goal in the 59th minute as Rafael Leao and Nuno Mendes superbly combined for the opener.
Ronaldo doubled the hosts’ lead 13 minutes later from the penalty spot after Jakub Kiwior handled in the box before Fernandes’ long-range stunner eight minutes later put the result beyond doubt.
Pedro Neto then thumped home a fourth seven minutes from time, before Ronaldo’s bicycle kick made it five shortly after. A shellshocked Poland grabbed a consolation strike in the 88th minute through Dominik Marczul as Portugal finished first in League A Group 1 with a game to go.
GOALÂ rates Portugal’s players from Estadio do Dragao…
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AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Diogo Costa (8/10):
Made some important saves to keep the Poles at bay and then they went through the gears to secure a big win.
Diogo Dalot (7/10):
Like his fellow full-back, he looked more solid in Portugal’s backline. Plus, he got forward nicely and won his team a penalty.
Antonio Silva (6/10):
Didn’t look entirely comfortable at the back and when Ruben Dias and Goncalo Inacio return to the side, he is likely to miss out.
Renato Veiga (6/10):
Was part of a defence that was stretched and didn’t look particularly secure at times. Certainly played better in the reverse fixture.
Nuno Mendes (8/10):
The left-back pulled off an excellent goalline clearance when the game was goalless and then provided a sumptuous assist for Leao’s header.
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AFPMidfield
Bernardo Silva (7/10):
Was quiet in the first half but went about his business nicely after the interval.
Joao Neves (7/10):
Maybe didn’t have the control he would have liked in the first 45 but improved as the game wore on.
Bruno Fernandes (8/10):
Was pretty ordinary in the first half, where he missed a gilt-edged chance, but scored a worldie in the second.
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AFPAttack
Pedro Neto (8/10):
Struggled to make an impact in the game for quite a while, before exploding into life in the final 30 or so and took his goal in emphatic fashion.
Cristiano Ronaldo (8/10):
Missed a number of glorious chances throughout the game but took his penalty well and then pulled off a fantastic bicycle kick near the end. The 39-year-old is still proving he can benefit this Portugal team.
Rafael Leao (9/10):
Was one of the few players who played well from start to finish. Kickstarted Portugal’s incredible second half with a remarkable goal on the counter-attack.
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AFPSubs & Manager
Samu Costa (7/10):
Didn’t have to do much defending when he came on.
Vitinha (7/10):
Pulled off some nice tricks, flicks, and passes off the bench.
Francisco Trincao (7/10):
Looked lively when he came on.
Nuno Tavares (6/10):
Picked up a booking in his short cameo.
Joao Felix (N/A):
Didn’t really get a chance to show what he can do.
Roberto Martinez (8/10):
His team looked flat and disinterested in the first half but were almost unrecognisable after the break. That must have been some half time team talk from the manager.
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