Portuguese Football in English
Poland 2-3 Portugal
Portugal put on an impressive display in an action-packed game in Chorzów. The Poles took the lead early on through a Krzysztof Piatek header. However, goals from André Silva, a Kamil Glik own goal, and a brilliant Bernardo Silva effort put the Seleção ahead.
There was controversy after Rui Patrício was beaten by Jakub Błaszczykowski's superb shot but that goal ultimately didn't deny Portugal the victory in a polished performance in Poland.
Fernando Santos has announced the Portugal squad for next week’s away matches against Poland and Scotland.
As for the September games, captain Cristiano Ronaldo has not been selected, while Santos has given a debut call-up to Wolves winger Hélder Costa.
Euro 2016 hero Eder Lopes is recalled, Porto’s defensive midfielder Danilo Pereira is back after returning from long-term injury, and Real Sociedad left-back Kevin Rodrigues also makes the cut after a lengthy absence.
Portugal’s U21 team face a tough road to the 2019 U21 European Championships despite a 2-0 win in Wales yesterday. A 2-1 home defeat against Romania on Friday night put Rui Jorge’s side in an uphill battle to qualify for next summer’s tournament in Italy.
PortuGOAL rounds up the two matches and explains the permutations that will see the Seleção make qualification.
Portugal 1-0 Italy
Portugal began their Nations League campaign in positive fashion with a thoroughly deserved victory against Italy in Lisbon tonight. Remarkably it was the Seleção's first competitive victory over the Italians since 1957! In front of over 52,000 fans, the Seleção followed up their encouraging display against Croatia by largely dominating their storied opponents at the Estádio da Luz.
André Silva’s goal shortly after half time earned Portugal all three points, and only an excellent display by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and some hesitant finishing prevented a wider margin of victory.
Portugal 1-1 Croatia
Pepe's 100th Portugal appearance was marked with a goal as his header cancelled out a vicious Ivan Perišić strike for a new-look and Ronaldo-less Seleção in the Algarve.
Sérgio Oliveira and Gedson Fernandes made their debuts from the bench as Fernando Santos' side looked refreshed and renewed in this friendly before Monday's Nations League match against Italy.
