Albania 0-1 Portugal
After being frustrated for most of the match, Portugal eventually found a way past pesky Albania with a rare late winner from a player not named Cristiano Ronaldo. Veloso's 92nd minute header, only his third ever goal for Portugal, was enough as the Seleção take full control of Group I on the heels of Denmark's draw against Armenia.
Portugal came into the match hoping to avenge the 0-1 loss that cost Paulo Bento his job exactly one year ago today. Moreover, defeat would blow the qualification possibilities in Group I wide open as the Seleção have yet to play against Denmark and a Serbian squad that is threatening on paper despite their position in the table. Fernando Santos gave Bernardo Silva only his second start for Portugal with Danny and Miguel Veloso also returning to the starting lineup.
Portugal assume control
Albania, on the other hand, were intent on upholding their scrappy reputation and began the match with some decent ball movement that prevented Portugal from dictating the tempo early on. But Portugal grew into the match and began to knock the ball about with increasing confidence. Ronaldo brought Etrit Berisha into action in the 12th minute with a low drive from 25 yards, and Nani deflected the ensuing corner kick onto the right post and out for a goal kick.
The hosts were being pinned back, and Berat Djimsiti was shown yellow for a bad challenge on Nani in the 23rd minute. But despite their possession, Portugal were struggling to breakdown the Albanian defence. Ronaldo finally forced a decent save from Berisha in the 29th minute, but it was again a shot from distance rather than the result of a fluid passing movement.
Bernardo Silva had shown some decent touches from his position on the right wing, and he managed to find enough space to shoot just wide of the far post in the 40th minute after being played in by Nani. Albania finished out the first half with their first effort on target, a low drive from outside the box that Patrício easily scooped up.
Second half stalemate
Portugal began the 2nd half much as they ended the first with plenty of meaningless possession. Santos changed things up in the 54th minute by introducing Cedric for Vieirinha. The Southampton man almost immediately sent in a great cross that Danny could only head wide left. Ricardo Quaresma entered the fray 10 minutes later, but aside from some decent overlapping runs from Eliseu, Portugal's attack was blunted by the stubborn Albanian defence.
Late flurry & Veloso winner
The hosts, meanwhile, conspired to find a late winner, and in the 75th minute Cikalleshi's shot took a wicked deflection and struck the angle between post and bar with Patrício completely stranded. It was a let-off for Portugal, and Santos immediately threw on Éder in place of Danny. Ronaldo found some space in the left channel, but the angle was tight and his stinging drive was palmed away by Berisha.
Minutes later, Ronaldo sent Eliseu clean through on goal, but the Benfica fullback's chipped shot fell agonisingly wide of the far post. But just when it looked as if Portugal would see all their hard work go for naught, Veloso crashed in a thunderous header following an excellent Quaresma corner kick in the second minute of stoppage time.
The late goal completed a rather indifferent match for Portugal. Veloso, who had only just been restored to the starting lineup, had what many might consider to be a relatively average performance, but scored the winner. Ronaldo had several looks at goal, but was restricted to mostly long range efforts by the well organised Albanians. Bernardo Silva had a positive cameo while Nani and Danny both might consider themselves fortunate that there are not many other options for Santos to choose from at the moment. Portugal's defence looked relatively untroubled throughout the match and Danilo had another unwavering performance in midfield.
Based on their performance today and in the match against France, it will be Portugal's attacking prowess, or the lack thereof, that ultimately stands in the way of European Championship glory. Nevertheless, Portugal currently sit atop Group I with 15 points from 6 matches.
The Seleção will complete Euro 2016 qualifying next month with their next match being against Denmark at the Estadio Municipal de Braga on October 8th.
Albania: Etrit Berisha, Lorik Cana, Berat Djimsiti, Ansi Agolli, Arlind Ajeti, Burim Kukeli, Taulant Xhaka, Amir Abrashi (Migjen Basha, 54'), Ermir Lenjani, Shkelzen Gashi (Odise Roshi, 70'), Sokol Cikalleshi (Bekim Balaj, 86')
Portugal: Rui Patricio, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Vierinha (Cedric, 54'), Eliseu, Miguel Veloso, Danilo Pereira, Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo, Danny (Eder, 76'), Bernardo Silva (Ricardo Quaresma 65')
Goals:
[0-1] Miguel Veloso, 92'
by Nathan Motz
