Cristiano Ronaldo’s late Nations League winner broke Scotland hearts in Portugal and ensured Steve Clarke’s side’s dreadful run of form continued.

The visitors took a shock seventh-minute lead thanks to a Scott McTominay header and performed admirably in repelling Portugal’s 16 shots before the break.

Another individual error robbed them of the lead though, when Angus Gunn allowed Bruno Fernandes’ long-range strike to creep into the net after the break.

Ronaldo was introduced at half-time and twice hit a post before finally breaking the barricades, forcing in a delicious Nuno Mendes cross for his 901st career goal.

The defeat – after losing to Poland on Thursday – means Scotland are now without a win in their last eight competitive games, the worst run in their history, and have won just one of the last 14 games.

However, Clarke can take some encouragement from the nature of the performances in the two games in this window, even if they are bottom of their section after Croatia beat Poland 1-0.