Second win in two days, 10 goals scored and none conceded: Roberto Martínez’s new Portugal walks steadily towards Euro 2024, after winning 6-0 in their trip to Luxembourg this Sunday, with another double from Cristiano Ronaldo .
After the two goals scored in the victory against Liechtenstein last Thursday, Ronaldo scored another two in Luxembourg (9 and 31).
The other goals were scored by Joao Felix (15), Bernardo Silva (18), Otavio (7) and Rafael Leao (88).
In this group J, Portugal is the leader with a total of 6 points, followed by Slovakia with 4 after winning 2-0 against Bosnia, which remains with three points, tied with Iceland, which thrashed Liechtenstein 7-0.
Despite the weakness of the rival, the new Portugal coach Roberto Martínez made no changes in the offensive sector with respect to the team that thrashed Liechtenstein 4-0 on Thursday, with Bruno Fernandes and Joao Palhinha in the midfield, Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva of couplings and Cristiano Ronaldo as the most advanced man.
And the Spanish coach’s bet was once again positive, since the Seleçao resolved the ballot in just half an hour.
The Portuguese captain showed that despite his 38 years he has not lost his scoring nose and opened the scoring in minute 9: Bruno Fernandes’ cross from the right, Nuno Mendes at the far post headed into the heart of the small area and Ronaldo pushed the ball to network.
With hardly any reaction time, Luxemburgo conceded the second on a header from Joao Felix to a cross from Bernardo Silva (15). The Manchester City midfielder scored the third, also with a cross header, from Palhinha’s center (18).
And CR7, in his 198th international game, closed the win in the first half with another trademark action: a deep pass from Bruno Fernandes and in a one-on-one Ronaldo beats the local goalkeeper Anthony Moris with a ball hit the post (31).
Ronaldo, who already has the record for caps and goals in national team matches (122 with the double against Luxembourg), left his position to Gonçalo Ramos at game time, when the game had already declined in intensity and Martínez was trying to to revive his team with changes.
And the coach was right again, since the fifth goal featured two players who had just entered the field, when Otavio headed a cross from Rafael Leao into the net to complete the hand (77).
The Milan winger could have even increased the difference, but Moris saved a penalty shot by Leao (85), who seconds later again had a very clear chance, but a defender took his shot on the line (86).
Finally, Leao found a reward for his insistence and beat Moris with a cross shot after a good personal move (88).
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
