Ronaldo draws blank at Hampden

Ronaldo draws blank at Hampden

A packed Hampden crowd watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s 216th Portugal appearance

Al-Nassr striker Ronaldo, having scored in each of his country’s three previous Nations League victories to take his international goal tally to an outrageous 133, as always looked to take centre stage on his first appearance at Hampden.
He prompted boos from the home crowd as he remonstrated with referee Lawrence Visser, then huge cheers from the Hampden faithful followed as he comically gave the ball away from a free-kick after being clattered by his former Manchester United team-mate McTominay.
On the half-hour mark, the Real Madrid great and Portuguese icon attempted a bicycle kick, only to be penalised for a high boot.
Ronaldo smacked the Hampden turf after sending a header over the bar from 12 yards early in the second half and was then denied by a last-ditch tackle from Grant Hanley as he was ready to pull the trigger having broken into the box.

The greatest scorer in the history of men’s international football had one last attempt, slicing wide after dancing inside a couple of defenders, and, with that, his chance to mark his Hampden bow with a goal was gone.
For all their dominance of the ball, Portugal were wasteful in the final third. But with three wins and this draw in their Nations League campaign so far, boss Roberto Martinez is unlikely to be too concerned with one off-night in front of goal.
What they said
Media caption,

‘Everybody contributed’ in Scotland draw with Portugal – Steve Clarke
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: “It’s not about turning a corner, it’s just about working hard and not letting the country down. The point was important for us after the work the group put in to get off the mark.
“Defensively sound. The shape of the team was good. We denied a lot of space in behind. Good concentration in the box, determined defending at times, some really good blocks, which you need against sides like Portugal. Everyone contributed to earn the point.
“Everyone keeps talking about confidence, but they know they can play well. We maybe didn’t play as well as we could on the ball, which could be down to fatigue. But I don’t think they lack confidence.”
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez: “Steve Clarke is building a national team that looks like a club and that’s a big, big compliment.
“Everybody works for each other, they know the structure. They’re brave when they have to be, they’ve got quick attacks.
“Full credit to Steve Clarke and the technical staff, they’re doing a great job.”

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