<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Defender Diogo Dalot scored twice as Portugal eased past the Czech Republic 4-0 in Prague on Saturday to get within a point of reaching the UEFA Nations League play-offs.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Portugal, who won the first edition of the Nations League in 2019, lead Group 2 on 10 points, two ahead of Spain who were stunned by Switzerland 2-1 at home.</div><div><br></div><div>Portugal host Spain next Tuesday in their final group game.</div><div>Dalot opened the scoring on 33 minutes as he nutmegged Czech goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik from a cutback provided by Rafael Leao.</div><div><br></div><div>Dalot sprinted down the pitch, passed the ball to his right and dashed into the box to pick up Leao's pass from the left following a cross narrowly missed by Cristiano Ronaldo.</div><div><br></div><div>Bruno Fernandes made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time as Mario Rui found him facing Vaclik with a low cross from the left.</div><div><br></div><div>A minute later, the hosts squandered a penalty kick as Patrik Schick fired over the crossbar after VAR spotted Ronaldo handling the ball inside the box.</div><div><br></div><div>"The first half was brilliant, it had an excellent quality," said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.</div><div><br></div><div>"We were perfectly ready for them and didn't really let them show much."</div><div><br></div><div>"When we scored the second, the Czechs failed to convert the penalty kick and grew even more nervous, while we stayed focused and were at ease."</div><div><br></div><div>Dalot added a second as he stunned Vaclik with a low left-foot shot from outside the area on 52 minutes.</div><div><br></div><div>Second-half substitute Diogo Jota headed home a late fourth from close range following a corner and Ronaldo's glancing header that found him at the far post.</div><div><br></div><div>Ronaldo failed to improve his record tally of 117 international goals and was left with a bloodied face after a clash with Vaclik early in the game.</div><div><br></div><div>"After the third goal, it was almost finished," said Santos, adding he expected a different game against Spain, reports AFP</div><div><br></div><div>"Our tactics will not change, both teams want to win. It doesn't matter whether they lost or won today."</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas&nbsp;</div>