Portugal 6-0 Andorra
Portugal earned their first points of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in style tonight with a comprehensive victory over Andorra at the Estadio Municipal in Aveiro.
Ronaldo scored four goals as the Seleção racked up 15 shots on target, and André Silva made his first start count with a second half goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo made his return to the Seleção after recovering from the knee injury that forced his early substitution from the Euro 2016 final. Nani, having picked up a knock in training, was unavailable and Adrien had previously withdrawn from the squad with a knee problem.
Fernando Santos had at his disposal the in-form André Silva and João Cancelo having been promoted from the U21s with the former making his first start for the senior squad. Santos selected a very attack-oriented starting XI with Quaresma and Bernardo Silva on the margins of the pitch ahead of André Gomes in the holding midfield role as he has played for Barcelona this season.
Lightning start
The home crowd would not be made to wait long for goalmouth action. Portugal won a couple of corners inside the opening minute, the second of which was flicked on at the near post bringing a save out of keeper José Gómes. Unfortunately for Andorra the rebound fell to Ronaldo, who thumped the ball first time into the bottom left corner.
Ronaldo had his second just minutes later when Quaresma floated a delightful cross into the area from the left. Cristiano ghosted past some admittedly poor marking and headed past Gómes with aplomb, his 64th career goal for Portugal.
In the 19th minute, Cancelo beat two defenders down the right flank and crossed for Ronaldo, who completely mishit his header with the goal gaping. Fonte was next to go close when he met Quaresma's swerving free kick with a thundering header straight into the keeper's body.
Portugal worked both sides of the pitch equally well with Ronaldo moving freely to receive the ball while André Silva remained high up the pitch. Ronaldo headed another Quaresma cross just wide in the 32nd minute before the Besiktas winger set up André Silva to strike the top of the crossbar from 6 yards.
Cancelo strikes
The Andorran keeper parried away another shot from Quaresma in the 40th minute, but the visitors were unable to make halftime without further damage being inflicted. Bernardo Silva released Cancelo down the right and the Valencia right back caught out the Andorran keeper at his near post for Portugal's third goal of the night.
Bernardo Silva began the second half with a penetrating run through the Andorran defence culminating in a shot towards the far corner that Gómes pushed over the top for a corner. Cristiano Ronaldo then completed his hat trick with a savage volley beyond the keeper after more good work from Bernardo Silva and André Gomes down the right.
Antunes made his return to the Seleção after a lengthy absence coming on for Guerreiro who appeared to have sustained a left thigh injury. Moutinho brought a diving save from Gómes minutes later with a shot from 20 yards.
Andorra's evening worsened in the 62nd minute when Jordi Rubio received his marching orders after a late challenge on Ronaldo for his 2nd yellow. João Mário came on for the excellent André Gomes and Portugal continued to press the issue.
Ronaldo scored his fourth goal of the evening in the 68th minute lashing home from close range after Jose Fonte headed down a cross in the left side of the penalty area. Gelson Martins made his senior debut for Portugal after Marc Rebes was given a straight red card for a reckless foul on Ronaldo.
Goalkeeping heroics
The chances kept coming and Bernardo Silva was unlucky not to score when Gómes parried away his goalbound header following yet another Quaresma cross. Gómes made an even better save from André Silva when the youngster directed Cancelo's cross on target.
Portugal added their sixth goal after a trivela free kick from Quaresma was parried into the path of André Silva. Having knocked on the door all evening, the Porto striker scored his first senior goal courtesy of a small deflection at the near post. Patricio made his first and only save of the night from a stoppage time free kick getting down well to his right as Portugal completed a routine victory despite the gaudy scoreline.
Gelson makes bright debut
Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Quaresma, André Gomes, and João Cancelo were Portugal's top performers in a match that degenerated into an offensive training routine by the end. Gelson and André Silva also made promising cameos as the Seleção continue the process of integrating youth squad talent.
In the other Group B match, Switzerland were able to earn another impressive victory on the road against Hungary, securing their place atop the group. Portugal will play the Faroe Islands on Monday in Tórshavn.
by Nathan Motz
Portugal: Rui Patricio, João Cancelo, Pepe (Gelson, 72'), Jose Fonte, Raphael Guerreiro (Antunes, 52'), André Gomes (João Mário, 68'), João Moutinho, Ricardo Quaresma, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, André Silva
Andorra: José Gómes, Marc Vales, Max Gonzalez, Ildefonso Lima, Marc García, Jori Rubio, Marc Rebés, Marcio Vieira, Cristian Martínez, Victor Rodriguez, Jordi Alaez
Goals:
[1-0] Ronaldo, 2'
[2-0] Ronaldo, 4'
[3-0] Cancelo, 44'
[4-0] Ronaldo, 47'
[5-0] Ronaldo, 68'
[6-0] André Silva, 86'
