Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty and an overhead kick to help Portugal defeat Poland 5-1 and advance to the Nations League quarterfinals on Friday.
Scotland won for the first time in nine games, keeping its prospects of remaining in the elite division of the competition alive.
Spain, which had already earned the top place in Group A4, defeated Denmark 2-1 in Copenhagen, while Serbia scored a late equalizer in Switzerland, condemning the Swiss to relegation to the second tier.
France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Portugal are all guaranteed one of eight quarterfinal positions. The games will be held on March 20-23.
The eight teams are also assured a place in Pot 1 of the qualifying draw for the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo shines.
In Porto, Ronaldo delivered a man-of-the-match effort in the second half.
Portugal took its time defeating a feeble Poland, but three goals in the final ten minutes sealed a dominant victory.
Rafael Leão scored 14 minutes into the second half, followed by Ronaldo’s 134th international goal from the penalty spot 13 minutes later.
Bruno Fernandes scored a sensational third goal from over 30 meters out, and three minutes later, Ronaldo’s pass allowed Pedro Neto to score a fourth from a tight angle.
Three minutes before the end, Ronaldo made it five — and 135 — with a beautiful overhead kick.
Despite Dominik Marczuk’s late consolation for the Poles, the loss ended their chances of reaching the quarterfinals.
With Croatia losing in Glasgow, Roberto Martinez’s side is guaranteed first place in Group A1.
Scotland gets rare victory.
Scotland won its first game in nine with a late John McGinn goal, earning the home team the narrowest of victories over a 10-man Croatia in Group A1.
Petar Sucic was harshly sent out for a second yellow card infraction two minutes before halftime, but Scotland was unable to capitalize.
Ben Doak, 19, shined for the home side in the second half, but substitute McGinn broke the deadlock four minutes from time, much to the delight of the Hampden Park crowd.
The outcome left Scotland with two points and Poland with four. The teams will play in Warsaw on Monday, with Scotland needing a win to escape relegation to the second division.
Spain defeats Denmark.
Denmark has not beaten Spain since 1993, and it got off to the worst possible start when Mikel Oyarzabal took advantage of sloppy defending to put the visitors ahead after 15 minutes.
The European champion dominated throughout, with Oyarzabal and Ayoze Pérez combining effectively up front. Pérez hit the crossbar early on, but his hard work paid off when he collected a lovely ball from Olmo and finished decisively at the 58-minute mark.
A startling defensive lapse allowed Gustav Isaksen to sneak in and score a late consolation for the Danes.
The result, paired with the draw in Switzerland, keeps Denmark in pole position to claim one of the top two spots in Group A4.
The Danes are in second place with seven points, two more than Serbia. The two sides will meet in Leskovac on Monday. Switzerland will be relegated to League B after finishing in last position.
