Portuguese Football in English
Portugal's U21 European Championship qualification campaign is back on track after a 3-2 victory against Norway at the Marienlyst Stadion in Drammen.
Fabio Vieira and Jota put Portugal 2-0 before Diogo Queirós was sent off, Florentino Luís extending the lead in the second half as Portugal survived a late Norweigan fight back.
Luxembourg 0-2 Portugal Portugal were made to work for their ticket to Euro 2020 against a hard-working Luxembourg side that certainly had their moments. Bruno Fernandes' sumptuous goal at the end of the first half was quite possibly the lone bright spot of a very difficult opening 45 minutes while Cristiano Ronaldo added to his international goal tally just minutes before full time.
It was at times incoherent and undisciplined from Portugal with misplaced passes and poor decisions only complicated by the abysmal pitch. Many may remember it as the worst played match of the campaign, but Portugal survived what was always going to be a challenging final game and will now have the opportunity to defend their European title.
Portugal are overwhelming favourites to beat Luxembourg at the Stade Josy Barthel and secure their ticket to Euro 2020. Having annihilated Lithuania 6-0 at the Estádio do Algarve and with Cristiano Ronaldo on the verge of 100 senior international goals, the stage is set for another intriguing encounter.
Portugal 6-0 LithuaniaPortugal are one win away from qualifying for Euro 2020 after crushing Lithuania 6-0 in the Algarve tonight. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo got the ball rolling, scoring two goals in a one-sided first half. Little changed after the interval with Pizzi, Gonçalo Paciência and the brilliant Bernardo Silva adding further goals before Ronaldo completed his hat-trick to round off the scoring.
Victory in Luxembourg on Sunday will guarantee the runners-up spot in Group B and a berth at next summer's European Championship.
An injury-hit Portugal play Lithuania in their penultimate Euro 2020 Group B qualifier on Thursday evening. Victory in the Algarve, followed by another win away against Luxembourg on Sunday, will guarantee the reigning champions are part of the pan-European tournament next summer.
The Seleção’s preparations for the matches have been disrupted by a series of injuries, but coach Fernando Santos has no doubts: “I believe we will play two good games and we’ll win them. I’m absolutely convinced we will be at Euro 2020.”
