+18 | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
Cristiano Ronaldo Roberto MartinezGetty

Cristiano Ronaldo concern for Portugal? Roberto Martinez admits his team are lacking 'magic in the box' after frustrating goalless draw with Scotland

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Portugal frustrated by Scotland
  • Ronaldo fails to score
  • Martinez says team lacking in attack
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Portugal endured a frustrating night at Hampden Park on Tuesday in the Nations League as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Scotland. Fans took aim at 39-year-old Ronaldo for 'holding Portugal back' after the match, as the Al-Nassr missed several chances and was spotted raging at the referee after the stalemate.

  • Advertisement
  • Scotland v Portugal - UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1Getty Images Sport

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Portugal have an incredible array of attacking talent to call upon with Diogo Jota, Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva Joao Felix and Francisco Conceicao all featuring with Ronaldo against Scotland. Yet none could find a way past Craig Gordon in the Scotland goal which will concern Martinez. The Portugal boss admitted his team were lacking in attack afterwards.

  • WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

    Martinez was asked what his team had been missing after the game and told Record: "A decision, a bit of magic in the box. We had a lot of desire, we worked very well without the ball. It was a dangerous game because we could have had possession, but Scotland doesn't need much to score a goal. We showed freshness, but we lacked freshness in the final third. We also have to give credit to Scotland, they had a lot of players in front of goal, their goalkeeper also made a spectacular save."

    The Portugal boss also spoke about Ronaldo being confronted by another pitch invader at the end of the game.

    "Unfortunately it has happened many times," he said. "It wasn't the first time, even in the Euros. It had happened in other games. We know what he brings to the game, he is an iconic figure, there is excitement. But if someone enters the pitch it is very dangerous if they have bad intentions."

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Ronaldo made his 200th start for Portugal against Scotland, 21 years and four days after his first for the national team.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo Nassr 2024Getty

    WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO

    Ronaldo will look to return to goal scoring ways back at Saudi side Al-Nassr before returning to Portugal duty in November for Nations League fixtures against Poland and Croatia.