Portugal reach Nations League quarters; Spain and Scotland survive tests | OneFootball

More UEFA Nations League action took place on Friday with some top countries involved.

Here is what went down.

Portugal dig deep to reach QFs

Scorers: Leão 59', Ronaldo 72' (P), 87', Fernandes 80', Neto 83'; Marczuk 88'

Portugal booked a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals after a 5-1 win over Poland on home soil.

The hosts dominated the match with 70% possession of the ball but it was a frustrating first 45 minutes with zero efforts on target.

Instead, Poland hinted at breaking the deadlock with Krzysztof Piątek and Piotr Zieliński impressing.

But the Selecão then ramped up the pressure in the second half and finally clicked.

A surging run down the left from Nuno Mendes saw the ball curl into the box, where a diving Rafael Leão headed home the opener.

Cristiano Ronaldo then won a penalty and blasted home inside the same stadium where he scored his first for his country 20 years ago.

One Bruno Fernandes also joined in on the action with a thumping strike from range to round out a strong second-half performance.

Pedro Neto made it four after receiving a through ball from his captain and a vintage Ronaldo bicycle kick made it five on the night.

Poland did, however, earn the last laugh when Dominik Marczuk erased clean sheet hopes.

Looking at the table in Group A1, Portugal are first followed by Croatia, Poland and Scotland with one game remaining. Second and fourth are only separated by three points.

Spain hold on to beat Denmark

Scorers: Isaksen 84'; Oyarzabal 15', Perez 58'

Reigning European champions Spain kept their unbeaten Nations League run alive with a 2-1 win over Denmark.

It didn't take long for La Roja to open the scoring when a defensive mistake from Jannik Vestergaard gifted Spain the ball.

It eventually found Mikel Oyarzabal who rolled home from point blank range for 1-0.

Denmark failed to register an effort on target and such an instance allowed Spain to double the lead in the second half.

Barcelona star Dani Olmo continues to deliver for club and country, sending a slick through ball between Danish defenders to find Ayoze Perez, who doubled the lead.

Stars Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Højlund were both hauled off after being ineffective, leaving an opportunity for a substitute to change the game.

Lurking Lazio ace Gustav Isaksen pulled one back for the hosts inside the box after a sloppy back pass from Spain.

However, the late goal was not enough to kickstart a comeback.

Looking at the table in Group A4, Spain are top and already reached the quarterfinals. In second place Denmark have a two-point lead over Serbia, while Switzerland is fourth.

Scotland edge past 10-man Croatia

Scorers: McGinn 86'. Red: Sučić 43'

It was a cagey affair inside Hampden Park as Scotland battled for a 1-0 win over 10-man Croatia.

Scott McTominay was the liveliest player on the pitch for the hosts, calling goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski into a diving save.

But in truth, Croatia came closest to opening the scoring with Andrej Kramarić and Luka Sučić miscuing a handful of chances.

Scotland, however, earned a lucky break just before half-time. Two yellows in quick succession saw Sučić earn his marching orders.

The man advantage saw the hosts control the second 45 minutes of the game but Steve Clarke's men were missing their final touch in front of goal.

Ben Doak missed a handful of chances to break the deadlock. Luka Modrić, meanwhile, tried to rally his side toward the other end of the pitch.

The Liverpool star, however, then proved to be the difference maker.

He forced a save from Kotarski and the ball fell to substitute John McGinn who volleyed home the winner.

Looking at the table in Group A1, Portugal are first followed by Croatia, Poland and Scotland with one game remaining. Second and fourth are only separated by three points.

Other results...

We'll have plenty more Nations League action for you over the weekend!

📸 Euan Cherry - 2024 Getty Images