Poland 1-3 Portugal: Seleçao Player Ratings as Ronaldo and Bernardo's first-half strikes help secure easy win | UEFA Nations League
Portugal secured a straightforward 3-1 win against Poland in Warsaw in a League A Group 1 match in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, October 12.
The result sees the visitors extend their lead at the top of the group to three points over Croatia in second place, while Poland remain third.
Portugal began the game on the front foot and attacked with a clear intention of getting a stranglehold on the proceedings. They dominated possesion in the first period and looked to keep Poland pinned in their own area. With 65% possession, Portugal succeeded and managed to grab the lead in the 26th minute as Bruno Fernandes assisted Bernardo Silva for 1-0.
Poland had a few chances of their own but none were good enough to bother Diogo Costa in the visitors' goal. This allowed Portugal to take the inititative as they bagged their second goal in the 37th minute as captain Cristiano Ronaldo converted a simple chance to make it 2-0. The Selecao carried a two-goal cushion into half-time.
Both managers made several changes in the second half with each looking to achieve separate things. However, Portugal continued their approach of trying to keep as much possession of the ball as possible as they looked to play Poland off the park with their dominance. However, the hosts played with spirit and did not seem to want to give up.
Their persistence paid as Poland found a way back in the game in the 78th minute as Piotr Zielinski converted to make it 2-1. The visitors looked shook momentarily as they risked throwing away all the hard work they did. However, Jan Bednarek's late own goal deflated the home crowd and was a cause of elation among the Portugal fans as they won 3-1.
On that note, let's take a look at their player ratings.
Portugal Player Ratings
Diogo Costa - 6.5/10
Costa made three saves throughout the game and also played five long balls.
Diogo Dalot - 7/10
Dalot was sharp in defence and made four clearances and two interceptions. He was also handy going forward as he played two key passes.
Ruben Dias - 7/10
Dias put in a solid performance at the back as he won five of his six duels, making three clearances and one block. He also played one key pass.
Renato Veiga - 6.5/10
Veiga played out of position and had a subpar performance for Portugal.
Nuno Mendes - 7.5/10
Mendes did well in defence as he won six duels, making five clearances and two interceptions. He also played one key pass.
Ruben Neves - 6.5/10
Neves had an average performance in midfield and played the entire duration of the match.
Bernardo Silva - 7.5/10
Silva scored Portugal's first goal with a lovely finish after getting to the end of Fernandes' pass. He also played one key pass and made one interception.
Pedro Neto - 8/10
Neto passed the ball with 93% accuracy and also completed four dribbles as he dazzled with the ball at his feet. He also won seven duels.
Bruno Fernandes - 8/10
Fernandes passed the ball with 86% accuracy, including one assist and three key passes. He also won six duels and also attempted five shots with two on target.
Rafael Leao - 7.5/10
Leao put in a great shift on the left flank. He came in with energy and completed six of his seven dribble attempts and also won seven duels.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 7.5/10
Ronaldo had a decent game and scored in the 37th minute to make it 2-0 to Portugal. He also played one key pass and won five duels.
Substitutes
Diogo Jota - 7/10
Jota replaced Ronaldo but could not make as much of an impact as the captain. He did win four duels but attempted a shot that was way wide of the mark.
Francisco Trincao - 6.5/10
Trincao replaced Leao in the second period and put in a decent performance, but could not make a positive impact.
Nelson Semedo - 6.5/10
Semedo replaced Neto in the 82nd minute as Roberto Martinez went for a more defensive approach and it worked.
Samuel Costa & Otavio - N/A
The pair came on with very little time to play and did not manage to play for enough time to warrant a rating.