Portuguese Football in English
Portugal’s squad has congregated at Cidade do Futebol on the outskirts of Lisbon as preparations begin for the 2024 European Championship in Germany, which starts in less than a fortnight.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo and midfielder Rúben Neves have been given an extra week’s holiday and will link up with the squad next Friday, ahead of Portugal’s final pre-tournament friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Aveiro.
Portugal produced a sensational turnaround to beat Serbia 3-2 in the 2024 UEFA European U17 Championship semi-finals.
Cardoso Varela missed a great chance at AEK Arena before Serbia went ahead in the 22nd minute, Mihajlo Cvetković exchanging passes with Dusan Makević before finding the bottom corner.
Serbia doubled their advantage in the 37th minute when Cvetković picked out an unmarked Djordje Ranković, his shot slapped away by Diogo Ferreira with ball rebounding off Eduardo Felicíssimo and into the net.
The Equipa das Quinas were fortunate not to go 3-0 down when Aleksa Vasilić hit the post, the woodwork coming to their rescue again after the break when Ranković got past Ferreira and saw his shot bounce off the bar.
Portugal continued to waste chances before reducing the deficit in the 60th minute, Geovany Quenda’s free kick diverted into his own net by Aleksa Damjanović.
The equaliser eventually came in the 89th minute through Eduardo Fernandes, his low cross picking out Rodrigo Mora who netted his fifth goal of the tournament. There was more drama to come in added time, Edgar Mota’s deflected cross headed home by João Trovisco.
Portugal got back into the winner’s circle after beating Poland 2-1 in the 2024 UEFA European U17 Championship quarter-finals.
The Equipa das Quinas got off to a perfect start at Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, Eduardo Felicíssimo’s deflected strike sailing past Mateusz Jeleń in the 5th minute.
Diogo Ferreira denied Oskar Pietuszewski with a fine save but there was nothing he could do in the 34th minute, a long throw headed into the path of Michael Izunwanne who scored his fourth goal of the tournament.
Portugal got back on top before the break, Eduardo Fernandes rattling the bar and Geovany Quenda’s free kick slapped off the post by Jeleń.
The decisive goal came in the 59th minute when Quenda’s shot was too hot to handle for the busy goalkeeper's second attempt punched into Rodrigo Mora who diverted the ball into the net.
Gabriel Silva went close to extending the lead but a third goal wasn’t required in Larnaca, Portugal closing it out to reach the semi-finals where Serbia await.
Portugal have finished top of Group D at the 2024 UEFA European U17 Championship in Cyprus despite a 2-1 defeat against France.
Les Bleuets created two fantastic chances to score at Ammochostos Epistrofi Stadium, Enzo Sternal hitting the post early on and Mohamed Kader Meïté heading wide from point blank range.
France eventually opened the scoring in the 36th minute, the impressive Rayane Messi getting past Martim Cunha and picking out Sternal who converted from close range.
Portugal responded two minutes later when Afonso Patrão used his strength to hold off Mathys Angély, the striker turning and firing a low shot past Jules Stawiecki.
The Equipa das Quinas never looked like scoring again, France getting the goal they deserved in the 81st minute when a loose ball found Enzo Molébé who beat Diogo Ferreira.
Ferreira made two strong saves to deny Molébé and Quentin Ndjantou, João Santos and his side immediately turning their attention to a quarter-final clash against Poland.
Portugal made it back-to-back wins at the 2024 UEFA European U17 Championship after an impressive 4-1 victory against England at Ammochostos Epistrofi Stadium.
Diogo Ferreira made a fantastic save to deny Shumaira Mheuka before Portugal opened the scoring in the 34th minute. Cardoso Varela combined with Rodrigo Mora, the playmaker taking advantage of time and space to beat Spike Brits.
England equalised three minutes before the break, Leo Shahar’s cross unable to be cleared which allowed Mikey Moore to pounce and score his third goal of the tournament.
Portugal made it 2-1 three minutes after the break, Martim Cunha’s long ball releasing Varela who teed up his Porto teammate Mora who finished from close range.
The game was settled with goals in the 64th and 68th minutes, Varela assisting Gabriel Silva and Mora turning provider for substitute Afonso Patrão.
The victory sees the Equipa das Quinas go three points clear at the top of Group D, theit final game coming against France at Ammochostos Epistrofi Stadium.
