GLASGOW, Scotland (Reuters) – Portugal all but sealed their berth in the Nations League quarter-finals despite a 0-0 away draw with Scotland on Tuesday, the first points Roberto Martinez’s side have dropped in four games of the competition.
The Portuguese maintained top spot in Group A1 with 10 points, three ahead of Croatia, who drew 3-3 with Poland in Tuesday’s other game in the group, while Steve Clarke’s struggling Scotland side are last on one point. Third-placed Poland have four points with the top two in the group moving on to the last eight.
Portugal were on the front foot for most of the night but squandered numerous chances including a sitter early in the second half for Cristiano Ronaldo, who had scored in each of the previous three games. Unmarked in the box and with virtually all the time in the world, the 39-year-old flashed a diving header over the crossbar.
Scotland had their chances despite a sloppy night plagued by careless turnovers, with Scott McTominay narrowly missing with a header before the game was five minutes old. Scottish keeper Craig Gordon made a handful of terrific saves in the dying minutes against a swarming Portugal side to hold on to the draw.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Toby Davis)
