Ronaldo was joined on the scoresheet by Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto as Portugal improved massively after a first half in which it did not manage a single shot on target.

Having just shaded a quiet opening period, Poland found itself behind when Leao stooped to nod Portugal ahead just before the hour mark, mere moments after Diogo Costa had denied Jakub Kaminski at the other end.

A Jakub Kiwior handball enabled Ronaldo to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot after 72 minutes, then Fernandes smashed a shot off the crossbar and in for 3-0 eight minutes later.

Chelsea winger Neto swiftly added a fourth by powering home on his weaker right foot, but the pick of Portugal's goals came via Ronaldo with three minutes of the 90 remaining.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner watched a dinked cross from the impressive Vitinha all the way before beating Marcin Bulka with an acrobatic overhead kick from close range.

Substitute Dominik Marczuk pulled one back for Poland at the death, but the heavy defeat – coupled with Scotland's 1-0 win over Croatia – puts it in severe danger of relegation.

Should Michal Probierz's team lose to the Tartan Army in Warsaw next week, it will drop to the second tier for the next edition of the UEFA Nations League in 2026-2027.

Portugal, meanwhile, is assured of a place in March's quarter-finals.