Portugal’s U17 European Championship campaign got off to winning start in Lod after a comfortable 5-1 victory against Scotland. Goals to Ivan Lima, José Rodrigues and João Veloso established a 3-0 half time lead.
Scotland showed some fight early in the second half and got their reward when Magnus Mackenzie scored to get them back into the contest.
The fightback was short lived however, Afonso Moreira and Rodrigo Ribeiro scoring in the space of four minutes to end the contest.
Portugal dominate
Portugal established their superiority early on and took the lead in the 8th minute. Leonardo Barroso’s cross picked out Dinis Rodrigues, his overhead kick was blocked with the ball falling straight to Ivan Lima who made no mistake.
The overloads kept coming down the left wing with Barroso, João Veloso and Ivan Lima frequently combining to isolate Scotland right-back Jack Kingdon.
The Equipa das Quinas continued to turn the screw with the Scots unable to get anywhere near Diogo Fernandes.
🇵🇹⚽️🏴 Portugal vs Scotland U17 European Championship action. Preview for @PortuGoal1. pic.twitter.com/vQqH89waeB
— Matthew Marshall (@noobzcorp) May 17, 2022
Portugal doubled their lead in the 26th minute and it was no surprise it came from another raid down the left side. Ivan Lima strolled through some ordinary defence, his cross falling to Rodrigues who finished into the top corner.
João Veloso’s shot was deflected over the bar as the chances kept coming, Portugal making it 3-0 in the 37th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Kingdon's evening went from bad to worse after handling Afonso Moreira’s cross, Veloso stepping up and beating Jacob Pazikas.
Scotland had a brief spell of pressure but were unable to fashion a shot.
Rui Bento’s side finished the half strong, Rodrigues heading Veloso’s cross wide and Lima’s shot blocked. Portugal continued their dominance in the second half with Rodrigues and Dário Essugo shooting wide.
Scotland fight back
Scotland showed character to stay in the contest and were rewarded in the 62nd minute. Magnus Mackenzie did it all himself, cutting in from the left wing and beating Fernandes.
Bento immediately made two changes with Manuel Mendonça and Vivaldo Semedo replacing João Veloso and Dinis Rodrigues.
Scotland continued to apply pressure with Lennon Miller’s free kick tipped wide by Fernandes, but the corner won turned out to be their downfall.
Game over
Portugal cleared the corner which fell straight into the path of Afonso Moreira, he surged over the halfway line and beat Pazikas who was left stranded.
Ussumane Djaló and Ivan Lima made way for João Gonçalves and Rodrigo Ribeiro in the 71st minute, and two minutes later it was 5-1. João Conceição’s delicious defence splitting pass found Ribeiro who showed his class by effortlessly lifting the ball over Pazikas.
The final switch saw Afonso Moreira replaced by Tiago Andrade as Portugal finished with a flurry. Gonçalves’ free kick was saved, Ribeiro narrowly missed the target, Mendonça fired over the bar and Semedo headed wide.
Too good
Portugal started on the front foot in Lod and rarely took their foot off the gas, no real standouts in a solid team performance. Scotland enjoyed a brief spell of pressure early in the second half but were unable to neutralise a superior side.
Jack Kingdon had a nightmare trying to contain Portugal’s frequent raids down the left wing, often left isolated with the Scots seemingly unprepared to handle one of Portugal’s main threats.
João Veloso showed his class once again, Dinis Rodrigues made it 11 goals in his last 11 appearances for the U17 side, and introducing João Gonçalves and Rodrigo Ribeiro off the bench highlights the strength of Portugal’s squad.
Dário Essugo’s addition to the team provides experience, guile and aggression in the holding midfield role.
Substitutes Manuel Mendonça and Vivaldo Semedo had some promising moments as they both earned their first international caps.
Portugal return to Lod on Friday, taking on Sweden who beat Denmark 2-1 in Ramat Gan. A win will take Portugal three points clear at the top of Group D and into prime position to reach the quarter-finals.
Line up
Portugal (4-3-3): Diogo Fernandes - João Conceição, Diogo Monteiro, João Muniz, Leonardo Barroso - Ussumane Djaló (João Gonçalves 71’), Dário Essugo, João Veloso (Manuel Mendonça 63’) - Afonso Moreira (Tiago Andrade 81’), Dinis Rodrigues (Vivaldo Semedo 63’), Ivan Lima (Rodrigo Ribeiro 71’)
Unused substitutes: Francisco Silva, Luís Gomes, Martim Fernandes, Rafael Luís
Goals:
[1-0] - Ivan Lima 8'
[2-0] - Dinis Rodrigues 26'
[3-0] - João Veloso 37' (p)
[3-1] - Magnus Mackenzie 62'
[4-1] - Afonso Moreira 69'
[5-1] - Rodrigo Ribeiro 73'
