We’ve gotten so used to watching Cristiano Ronaldo deliver the goods when it matters most that it was shocking to see him struggle for 90 minutes and end up on the losing side in Portugal’s 1-0 home defeat to Spain. Alvaro Morata scored the only goal of the match two minutes before the end to send Spain to the UEFA Nations League final four.This was one of those to-be-or-not-to-be matches as Spain needed nothing but a win to reach the top spot in their group and qualify for the Final Four. So they got off to a strong start at Braga’s iconic quarry stadium.🚨 Cristiano Ronaldo goals this season:❌ Brighton❌ Brentford❌ Liverpool❌ Southampton❌ Leicester❌ Arsenal❌ Real Sociedad🥅 Sheriff (Penalty)❌ Czech Republic❌ SpainHe single-handedly knocked Portugal out of the Nations League. What happened to my idol? 😔 pic.twitter.com/muD5pqZL5w— Mojeda ➐ (@Mojeda101) September 27, 2022 Pablo Sarabia had an early shot blocked as Luis Enrique’s team pushed forward, but it didn’t take long for the Portuguese to start taking over the proceedings, with the midfield of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Neves starting to create chances. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon had to be on top of his game to keep out a goalbound projectile fired from the right foot of Diogo Jota.La Furia Roja did boast more of the ball possession, but the hosts looked far more dangerous whenever they got a hold of it. Ronaldo had a great chance to give his team the lead when a fantastic through ball from Diogo Jota gave him the sight of goal, but the ordinary-looking Ronaldo could only hit the onrushing Simon. This isn’t the Ronaldo we’ve been watching for nearly 20 years.Spain struggled to break down the hosts after the break, but they always looked likely to snatch a goal. And it came with 88 minutes on the clock. Substitute Nico Williams headed a deep ball across the goal for Morata to smash into the net and give his country the victory.Spain makes the finals for a second consecutive campaign, claiming a first competitive away victory in Portugal for over 80 years in the process.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE – GROUP STAGEDivision AMondayEngland – Germany 3-3 (0-0)/Shaw 71, Mount 75, Kane (p) 83 – Gundogan (p) 52, Havertz 67, 87Hungary – Italy 0-2 (0-1)/Raspadori 27, Dimarco 52/TuesdayPortugal – Spain 0-1 (0-0)/Morata 88/Switzerland – Czech Republic 2-1 (2-1)/Freuler 29, Embolo 30 – Schick 45/
