Ronaldo’s international goal count climbs to 133

BARCELONA, Spain (AP):

CRISTIANO RONALDO scored his record-extending 133rd international goal to keep Portugal perfect in the Nations League with a 3-1 win over Poland on Saturday.

The 39-year-old superstar was there to put in the rebound after Rafael Leão’s shot hit the post in the 37th minute. That made it 2-0 following Bernardo Silva’s opener in Warsaw in the 26th.

After failing to find the net in five appearances at this summer’s European Championship – with Portugal exiting in the quarterfinals – Ronaldo has scored in three straight Nations League matches, including wins over Croatia – his 900th career goal – and Scotland last month.

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez replaced Ronaldo with Diogo Jota with just under half an hour to play.

Midfielder Piotr Zielinski halved the deficit in the 78th for the hosts, only for Southampton defender Jan Bednarek to score an own-goal with two minutes left.

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski started alongside Karol Swiderski, but the Polish attacking pair couldn’t find their way past the Portuguese defence.

“We worked very hard the last few days, preparing various solutions for this game, and we were able to show it on the pitch. I am really satisfied because we controlled this game,” Martínez said.

“Also, I am satisfied how Renato Veiga and Rúben Dias performed against one of the best in the world (in Lewandowski).”

Portugal lead Group A1 with nine points from three games. Second-place Croatia have six points after it came back to beat Scotland 2-1 in Zagreb with the visitors having an equaliser deep into second-half stoppage time ruled out by VAR. Poland have three points, and Scotland zero.

Scotland’s Ryan Christie opened for the Scots and their under-fire manager Steve Clarke in the 33rd. Igor Matanovic levelled three minutes later and Andrej Kramaric completed the fightback in the 70th.

Scotland had the ball in the net right at the end with substitute Che Adams involved but VAR confirmed it was offside.