Spain 1-1 Portugal

Portugal once again flattered to deceive for long stretches, but they held on, reconstituted themselves in the second half and bagged a well-earned point at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Braga's Ricardo Horta was the difference-maker, cancelling Alvaro Morata's opener after Leão missed a couple of decent opportunities earlier on. 

The latest edition of the Nations kicks off for Portugal, the inaugural winners of the competition, on Thursday night as the Seleção take on Spain in Seville.

Many view this tournament as an ideal preparatory exercise for the World Cup in November, but Portugal coach Fernando Santos does not see it that way, while the Spaniards are looking to go one step further than last time round, when they were beaten in the final by France. 

Portugal’s U17 European Championship campaign came to an end after a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat against France at Netanya Stadium. The result was overshadowed by a terrible injury to Ivan Lima who was stretchered off the pitch in the second half.

It was an action-packed opening with Warren Zaire-Emery firing France into the lead in the 6th minute. Afonso Moreira equalized not long after with Dário Essugo unleashing an unstoppable long-range strike into the top corner.

France equalized in added time when João Muniz diverted Valentin Atangana’s cross into his own net. The second half was a tepid affair after concern for Ivan Lima’s well being became more important than the result.

With the match tied at 2-2 after 90 minutes, the game went to penalties where Portugal converted their first five spot kicks. Mathys Tel kept France in the contest after his effort went in after rebounding off the bar and a diving Diogo Fernandes.

Manuel Mendonça’s penalty was then saved by Lisandru Olmeta, El Chadaille Bitshiabu holding his nerve to send France into the final.

Portugal beat Spain 2-1 in the U17 European Championship quarter-finals at Netanya Stadium. They went ahead in the 9th minute when Afonso Moreira pounced on a poor pass from Javier Boñar and powered the ball into the net.

Boñar didn’t have to wait long to make amends as he headed home the equaliser in the 17th minute. Portugal started the second half strong and were rewarded in the 63rd minute when Dinis Rodrigues converted a penalty.

La Rojita threw caution to the wind in an attempt to take the match to penalties, but Portugal held firm in a spirited performance, booking a semi-final clash against France.