Bruno Fernandes outshines Ronaldo in late Portugal defeat as Dalot gets a rest

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal suffered a home defeat to Spain to miss out on top spot in UEFA Nations League.

Portugal just needed a draw to finish top and reach the finals, but suffered heartbreak late in the game. A goal from Alvaro Morata in the 88th minute sealed a 1-0 win for Spain.

Ronaldo had a chance to equalise in injury time, only to be denied by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.

This match was an opportunity for Ronaldo to answer his critics after a very slow start to the season, and he will reflect that he fell short in a game with real stakes to it.

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Fernandes shines as Dalot gets a rest

Bruno Fernandes did start and played all 90 minutes and was Portugal’s most likely source of a goal.

Fernandes created three chances in a game where Portugal saw very little of the ball as Spain held 68 per cent possession.

Portugal still posed a danger with four shots on target to Spain’s five, two of which came from Ronaldo.

Fernandes only managed 30 touches, so made his possession count in creating opportunities, but could not break the deadlock.

Like Ronaldo he played both matches over the international break, scoring in the previous game, a 4-0 victory over Czech Republic.

Diogo Dalot was the star of the win over the Czechs, scoring twice. He was left out of this game, with Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo preferred. This may work to United’s advantage with the derby this coming weekend.

Dalot was an unused substitute against Spain. He is expected to be in United’s starting line-up on Sunday, he has been an ever present in the league this season.

Ronaldo criticism begins

Ronaldo came into the game under pressure, and the criticism has already begun. Spanish newspaper AS report the striker ‘is not who he was’, focusing on a missed chance in the 71st minute when he failed to notice a defender behind him, stealing into deny him a goalscoring chance.

Ronaldo has just one goal this season, a penalty against Sheriff Tiraspol, and this international break has not been particularly productive for him.

This will give Manchester United a dilemma for the weekend, with Marcus Rashford nor Anthony Martial not yet pictured back in training.