Portugal faced a frustrating evening at Hampden Park, drawing 0-0 against a resilient Scotland side in their latest Nations League encounter. Despite dominating possession and controlling large portions of the game, Roberto Martinez’s men couldn’t find the back of the net, as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes both misfired, while Scotland’s goalkeeper Craig Gordon produced several heroic saves. Here are the Portugal player ratings vs Scotland from a night where the result didn’t go their way.
Portugal had plenty of chances, but the likes of Diogo Jota, Ronaldo, and others failed to convert, making it a frustrating night for the away side. On the other hand, Scotland will be more than happy with the point, continuing their strong form in the group.
Portugal Player Ratings vs Scotland: Ronaldo Struggles as Bernardo Silva Shines in Nations League Draw
Scotland vs Portugal ratings.
Goalkeeper & Defence
- Diogo Costa (7/10):
Costa made several key saves to deny Scotland early on, especially when Scott McTominay threatened in the first half. He kept his composure and was rarely troubled otherwise, showing why he’s Portugal’s first-choice goalkeeper. - Joao Cancelo (6/10):
Cancelo struggled to make his usual impact from his inverted role. While solid defensively, he didn’t offer much going forward and was largely outshone by Nuno Mendes on the opposite flank. - Ruben Dias (7/10):
The Manchester City defender was solid as always. His ability to play out from the back and handle Scotland’s press was commendable. Dias was Portugal’s rock at the back, making timely tackles and interceptions. - Antonio Silva (7/10):
Antonio Silva put in a decent shift alongside Dias, keeping Scotland’s attack at bay. His aerial ability and positioning were on point, though he was occasionally troubled by Scotland’s high pressing. - Nuno Mendes (7/10):
Mendes was one of the brighter sparks in Portugal’s attack, constantly bombing down the left flank and beating his marker. However, his forays forward sometimes left the Portuguese defense exposed, allowing Scotland space to counter-attack.
Midfield
- Bruno Fernandes (5/10):
Bruno Fernandes had an unusually quiet game. Playing in a deeper role, he struggled to create clear chances for the forwards and often found himself crowded out by Scotland’s midfield. His performance lacked the spark that fans are used to seeing. - Joao Palhinha (6/10):
Palhinha played his usual role as the enforcer in midfield, breaking up Scotland’s play and shielding the defense. While defensively sound, his lack of creativity meant Portugal struggled to break down Scotland’s low block. - Vitinha (7/10):
Vitinha did a lot of the unsung work in midfield, recovering the ball and initiating attacks. His ball retention and passing were solid, but like many of his teammates, he lacked that cutting edge in the final third.
Attack
- Chico Conceicao (7/10):
Conceicao was a constant threat on the right side, providing energy and drive. His work rate was exceptional, and he covered a lot of ground, but he couldn’t quite deliver the final product to create clear scoring opportunities. - Cristiano Ronaldo (4/10):
Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating night in Glasgow. His touches were loose, and he missed several half-chances that could have changed the game. As the captain, Ronaldo’s frustrations were visible as he struggled to make an impact. - Diogo Jota (5/10):
After picking up an early yellow card, Jota’s influence waned. He rarely got involved in the game and was substituted in the second half, having failed to make a significant contribution.
Subs & Manager
- Ruben Neves (7/10):
Ruben Neves came on in the second half and helped Portugal control the game. His long-range passing was sharp, but like the rest of the team, he couldn’t find the key to unlock Scotland’s defense. - Bernardo Silva (8/10):
Bernardo Silva was one of the best performers after coming on. His movement and creativity helped Portugal establish control over the game, but despite his efforts, the breakthrough didn’t come. - Rafael Leao (8/10):
Rafael Leao was bright from the moment he entered the pitch, running at defenders and delivering dangerous crosses. He gave Scotland’s defense plenty of problems but couldn’t provide the finishing touch. - Nelson Semedo (N/A):
Came on late but had little time to influence the game. - Joao Felix (N/A):
Joao Felix was also brought on too late to make a meaningful impact. - Roberto Martinez (7/10):
Roberto Martinez made proactive substitutions, bringing on attacking talent early in the second half to shift the momentum. However, his team’s lack of clinical finishing let them down in what was otherwise a well-controlled performance.
Key Takeaways from Portugal vs Scotland
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s Struggles:
Ronaldo continues to be a key figure for Portugal, but this match showed that his influence may be waning. His missed chances and visible frustration highlight that his best days might be behind him. - Bernardo Silva’s Impact:
Despite starting on the bench, Bernardo Silva was arguably Portugal’s most dangerous player when he came on. His creativity and quick thinking added much-needed energy to Portugal’s attack. - Scotland’s Defensive Resilience:
Credit must be given to Scotland’s defensive setup. Craig Gordon made key saves, and Scott McTominay was a constant threat in the first half. Scotland’s defensive structure held firm against Portugal’s relentless pressure. - Rafael Leao’s Bright Spark:
Leao’s pace and dribbling caused Scotland problems. He was lively throughout his time on the pitch and will be a key player for Portugal going forward. - Portugal’s Finishing Woes:
While Portugal dominated possession and created several chances, their lack of clinical finishing was glaring. They need to find more consistency in front of goal if they hope to go further in the Nations League.
Conclusion: Portugal Held by Resilient Scotland
Portugal’s goalless draw with Scotland was a frustrating result for Roberto Martinez’s side. While they controlled the game for long periods and created enough chances to win, their inability to convert opportunities ultimately cost them. Scotland, on the other hand, will be pleased with the result, continuing their impressive Nations League campaign.
As Portugal look to the next match, they will need to be more clinical in front of goal and find ways to break down stubborn defenses if they want to progress in the competition.
Portugal can’t find a way past Scotland ❌ pic.twitter.com/8iVA6Om2ti
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) October 15, 2024
FAQs:
- Who played the best for Portugal vs Scotland?
Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao were among the best players for Portugal, offering creativity and drive after coming off the bench. - How did Cristiano Ronaldo perform against Scotland?
Cristiano Ronaldo struggled, missing a few chances and failing to have his usual impact in front of goal. - What was the result of Portugal vs Scotland in the Nations League?
The match ended in a 0-0 draw, with Portugal failing to score despite dominating possession. - How did Scotland defend against Portugal?
Scotland defended resolutely, with Craig Gordon making crucial saves and their defensive structure holding firm against Portugal’s attack. - Why did Portugal fail to win against Scotland?
Portugal lacked finishing prowess, with players like Ronaldo and Diogo Jota failing to convert their chances, despite dominating the game.
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