Scotland overwhelm Portugal in dominant Autumn Nations Series performance

Scotland 52-14 Portugal, Murrayfield Stadium

In a commanding display at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday, Scotland secured a decisive 52-14 victory over Portugal during the Autumn Nations Series.

Scotland set the tone early, with winger Darcy Graham crossing the try line within the opening minutes, capitalizing on a well-executed backline move.

This initial score was swiftly followed by a try from center Huw Jones, who exploited a gap in Portugal's defense after a series of structured phases. Fly-half Finn Russell successfully converted both tries, establishing a 14-0 lead for the hosts.

Despite the early deficit, Portugal demonstrated resilience. Scrum-half Samuel Marques orchestrated a series of attacks, culminating in a try by winger Raffaele Storti, who showcased his speed by outpacing Scotland's defense. Marques added the conversion, narrowing the scoreline to 14-7.

Number eight Matt Fagerson powered over the line following a dominant maul, and Russell's conversion extended the lead. Shortly thereafter, winger Duhan van der Merwe added to the tally with a try in the corner, benefiting from quick ball movement and exploiting the overlap. Russell maintained his perfect kicking record, bringing the score to 28-7.

Entering the second half, Portugal sought to regain momentum. Their persistence was rewarded when center José Lima intercepted a pass and sprinted unchallenged to score under the posts. Marques's conversion brought the score to 28-14, offering a glimmer of hope for the visitors.

Scotland responded emphatically. Replacement hooker Ewan Ashman marked his impact with a try, finishing off a rolling maul that had Portugal's pack retreating. Russell's conversion further widened the gap. The hosts continued to exploit defensive lapses, with center Sione Tuipulotu crossing the line after a deft offload from Russell. The fly-half's successful kick brought the score to 42-14.

In the closing stages, Scotland maintained their offensive pressure. Full-back Blair Kinghorn added a try, capitalizing on a well-placed chip kick from Russell that caught Portugal's defense off-guard.

Russell's conversion sealed the final score at 52-14. Scotland's tactical execution, particularly in set-pieces and open play, was evident throughout the match, reflecting their preparation and adaptability.

Finn Russell's playmaking was instrumental, contributing significantly to Scotland's attacking fluidity and scoreboard dominance. Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe's performances on the wings provided Scotland with consistent offensive threats, while the forward pack's control in scrums and mauls laid a solid foundation for the backs to capitalize upon.

Team line up:

Scotland: Jordan, Graham, Hutchinson, McDowall, Reed; Hastings, Horne; Bhatti, Harrison, Hurd, Craig, Samuel, Crosbie, Muncaster, Bayliss.

Reserves: Matthews, Sutherland, Millar Mills, Johnson, Douglas, Dobie, Currie, Rowe.

Portugal: Bento, Storti, Lima, Appleton, L. Martins; Cabral, Marques; Costa, Begic, Hasse Ferreira, Madeira, Torgal, An. Cunha, N. Martins, Couto.

Reserves: Ab. Cunha, Vicente, Prim, Andrade, Baptista, Campos, Aubry, Cardoso Pinto.