It wasn’t quite the famous win Scotland were chasing – but it’s a result that will most certainly do. And those Ronaldo tears make it taste just that little bit sweeter for the Tartan Army.
Portugal were held to a point at Hampden in a game that assuaged some of the doubts swirling around Steve Clarke and showed Scotland can still mix it at the top table and deal the big dogs a bloody nose. The Cristiano Ronaldo factor of course made it a global affair – and after going down the flumes in Loch Lomond and signing autographs in Paisley, one of the greatest to ever play the game was reduced to a seething mess at full-time.
He drew a blank in Glasgow and was left ranting at the officials on the full-time whistle as Scotland celebrated a point that still leaves our hopes of staying in Nations League A hanging by a thread, but installed some much-needed optimism after a horrendous run of results. Here’s what the worldwide media have been saying to it.
O Jogo (Portugal)
Before we get to Ronaldo (and believe me, we will get to Ronaldo), O Jogo were focused on a frustrating night for the Portugal team as a whole. A curious quirk: it’s now the third competitive game in a row that Portugal have come to Glasgow and drawn 0-0, stretching back to 1980.
They said: “After scoring seven goals in the first three games of the Nations League – beating Croatia and Scotland 2-1 at home in September and Poland 3-1 away in the previous game – the national team once again came up blank, as they did in their last three matches at Euro 2024. In other words, in four of their last seven games they’ve been unable to rattle the opposition net.
“In Germany, it should be remembered, the lack of goalscoring was felt in the games with Georgia – a 2-0 defeat – Slovenia and France – both nil victories – with the former winning on penalties and the latter losing on the same type of tie-breaker.
“It’s also worth noting that this was the third consecutive 0-0 draw in Scotland in official matches, and that the national team still have a lamb to kill.”
Bola VIP (Portugal)
Well, we promised you we’d get to Ronaldo… Bola said: “The primary reason for Ronaldo‘s anger was the referee’s decision to end the match during stoppage time, just as Portugal had won a corner kick. The assistant referee had awarded the corner, but Visser deemed that the allotted time had expired, denying Roberto Martinez’s team a final chance to deliver the ball into the box.
“This wasn’t the only incident that infuriated Cristiano during the game. Earlier, the Al-Nassr forward attempted to break the deadlock with a right-footed shot inside the box that missed just wide of the right post. Both the assistant referee and Visser signaled for a goal kick, but Ronaldo was adamant that there had been a deflection off a Scottish defender, a claim that TV replays appeared to support.
“Cristiano Ronaldo’s frustration boiled over after the final whistle, as he left the field smiling ironically, clapping, and making gestures of exasperation—feeling that Portugal had been deprived of a potential victory due to the referee’s calls.
“Despite Ronaldo’s frustration, the 0-0 draw against Scotland was a beneficial outcome for Portugal. The point kept them in first place in Group A1 with seven points, three clear of Croatia and six ahead of Poland, who are out of the qualification zone.”
The Guardian (UK)
“The sight of a ranting, raving, gesticulating Cristiano Ronaldo proved the most welcome of all for Scotland’s supporters. The occasion of the Portuguese icon’s 200th start for his country could not deliver either a 134th goal or an away victory at Hampden Park.
“As the full-time whistle blew Ronaldo beat a hasty retreat, complaining vehemently as he did so. The apparent cause of his ire was the referee’s refusal to allow time for Portugal to take a corner. The bluntness displayed by Roberto Martínez’s team over the preceding 94 minutes rather suggested this act of officialdom was irrelevant.
“Ronaldo’s huff as exhausted Scots took the acclaim of the Tartan Army only endorsed the theory the 39-year-old knows he is a fading force. Sportsmanship is free.”
Onefootball (Global)
“Scotland perfectly executed their defensive game plan to hold Portugal to a goalless draw. Cristiano Ronaldo led his team inside a Hampden Park that echoed boos every time he touched the ball. The captain was a shadow of himself on the night, though. Weak strikes fall short and headers were wasted as Portugal dominated the ball.
“No goals on the night after only four shots on target combined saw the points split. It’s Scotland’s first point, while Portugal’s perfect run is over.”
Outlook (India)
“The match itself was not a great spectacle with limited chances either way, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s 200th start for Portugal ultimately ending in disappointment. It was a performance of grit over style for Steve Clarke’s side, though, who managed just three shots during the match.
“After scoring in each of Roberto Martinez’s first 12 competitive matches in charge of Portugal, the Selecao have since drawn a blank in four of their last seven matches under the Spaniard.
“Portugal attempted 715 passes tonight – their highest number in this Nations League campaign, with their 14 attempts the lowest they have managed in the competition this term, ending the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.52.
“Scotland, meanwhile, are now winless in their last 10 competitive matches (D4 L6), their longest-ever run without a competitive victory, though they managed to keep a clean sheet against a team above them in the FIFA rankings for the first time since a 2-0 win over Spain in 2023.”
Hindustan Times (India)
The Ronaldo factor sent this one global as another Indian outlet picked it up. The Hindustan Times headline notes that Ronaldo’s ‘tantrums know no bounds’ before going on: “Cristiano Ronaldo was held scoreless and Portugal lost its perfect record in the Nations League after a 0-0 draw at Scotland on Tuesday. Ronaldo showed a double thumbs down after Portugal was held scoreless by Scotland.
“Portugal had won its first three matches in the competition but couldn’t find a breakthrough against the Scots at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
“Ronaldo, sitting on 133 international goals, had a few good chances to break the deadlock. He seemed upset with the referee after the game ended, leaving the field with a sarcastic applause, waving his arms and with thumbs down.”
Goal (UK)
Ronaldo was rated 4/10 by Goal who said he ‘did not have his best night, skying a few opportunities, having a few loose touches and cutting a frustrated figure in Glasgow.’