Portugal, Poland, Northern Ireland win; Serbia-Spain draw

The UEFA Nations League returned tonight as the 2024/25 campaign kicked off across Europe.

Portugal defeat Croatia on Ronaldo’s big night

Scorers: Dalot 7′, Ronaldo 34′; Dalot (OG) 41′

Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in Lisbon on a historic night for Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the 900th goal of his incredible career.

Roberto Martinez’s side grabbed the opener after just seven minutes and it came via a current Manchester United connection.

After some neat build-up play, Bruno Fernandes threaded a ball into the box for Diogo Dalot, who came across from his right-back position to finish from a narrow angle with his left foot.

The home side doubled their lead in the 34th minute and it was a special moment, as Cristiano Ronaldo fired home from inside the box for his 900th career goal.

Croatia pulled one back four minutes before the break, and this time, Dalot turned the ball into his own net after trying to block a goalbound effort.

After the break, Portugal took control of the ball, passing it around as they looked for an opening. Vitinha came closest but saw his shot blocked by a determined Croatian defence.

Unable to find the third goal, the home side sat deep and held out somewhat easily to start their Nations League campaign with a deserved three points.

Serbia hold Spain to goalless draw in Belgrade

Serbia and Spain drew 0-0 in Belgrade in a game that was far better the score line suggested.

Unsurprisingly, the EURO 2024 champions dominated possession in the opening periods of the clash, but it was Serbia who had the better chances.

Luka Jović really should have given Serbia a half-time lead, who somehow fired wide with the goal gaping from less than 10 yards out.

The hosts continued to threaten after the break, with Ivan Ilić’s dangerous run towards goal only being stopped by an Aymeric Laporte foul. From the resulting free kick, the Torino midfielder put the ball left of David Raya’s post.

Spain’s best bits came from Lamine Yamal down the right, but they lacked a finishing touch whenever they found themselves in sight of goal.

Yamal and fellow Ballon d’Or nominee Alejandro Grimaldo both came close as the game moved into it’s final quarter. The Bayer Leverkusen left-back saw his free-kick expertly saved by Predrag Rajković before the Barcelona winger flashed an effort just wide.

The 17-year-old jinked his way through with 15 minutes to go, but Rajković again proved to be his side’s hero, getting a strong hand to keep the game goalless.

Serbia held out for the remainder of the game to earn a great point against the continent’s best.

Poland seal late, late win after heroic Scotland comeback

Scorers: Gilmour 46′, McTominay 76′ ; Szymański 11′, Lewandowski (pen) 43′, Zalewski (pen) 90+6′

Despite coming from two goals down to draw level late on, Scotland lost 3-2 to Poland on a pulsating night of action at Hampden Park.

After an even start, Poland took the lead with a bolt from the blue. Sebastian Szymański was not closed down but few could have expected him to fire home from all of 35 yards.

Scotland thought they had themselves an equaliser in the 22nd minute when Scott McTominay ghosted in at the back post to nudge home Andy Robertson’s cross.

However, the now-Napoli midfielder was ruled to have handled the ball prior to it entering the net.

Poland doubled their lead just before the break from the penalty spot. Tony Ralston took down Nicola Zalewski and Robert Lewandowski scored his 84th international goal from the spot.

Scotland pulled one back right away after the break, and it came from their other new Napoli midfielder, Billy Gilmour. Lyndon Dykes worked the ball into the box, and Gilmour fired it home to ignite Hampden Park.

It was only the second goal of the former Brighton and Chelsea star’s career, both of which have come for his country.

Szymanski almost restored his side’s two-goal lead with another screamer, but his curled effort went just wide.

McTominay got his goal in the 76th minute, pulling his side level with a close-range finish after Ralston picked him out with a smart ball. It was the midfielder’s 10th strike for his country, and yet another crucial one.

Scotland went for the win but were stung in the sixth minute of added time when Nicola Zalewski slotted home his side’s second penalty and the winner after Grant Hanley took him down with a foolish challenge.

Set piece success for Northern Ireland in win vs Luxembourg

Scorers: McNair 10′, Ballard 16′

Northern Ireland convincingly and confidently defeated Luxembourg 2-0 at Windsor Park to get their Nations League campaign off to the perfect start.

The hosts started the stronger, with Dion Charles coming close to opening the scoring inside 10 minutes when George Saville’s free kick fell to him unmarked.

Michael O’Neill’s side got the goals they deserved shortly after, Paddy McNair drilling the ball home after the ball fell to him inside the box.

It was 2-0 just six minutes later, and again it was via a set-piece. Saville rolled the ball across to Dan Ballard, who finished smartly at the near post.

Despite having more of the ball, Luxembourg struggled to make any chances either side of the break, as the hosts continued to pile on the pressure.

Their chances came, as in the first half, from dead ball situations as Saville’s deliveries continued to cause chaos.

In the end, they had to settle for a 2-0 win on a perfect night in Belfast.