by Three games for Portugal in EURO 2024 qualifying Group J, three wins. Three games for the national team under Roberto Martínez, so many triumphs. Thirteen goals scored, zero goals conceded. Everything is going well in this new era of Equipe das Quinas.
This Saturday, at the Estádio da Luz, against Bosnia-Herzegovina, the performance was not brilliant. The first half had a few scares and few chances created until very close to half time. However, there two men from Manchester – one from the blue side of the city and the other from the red side – showed all their skills and launched Portugal to a clear, fair and natural triumph, but perhaps more relaxed than the display deserved. .
Bruno Fernandes, playing with the freedom he loves in midfield, isolated Bernardo Silva with an extraordinary low pass and the City man, still on top after winning the Champions League, finished in style, opening the scoring for 44 minutes. The goal paved the way for victory and a (somewhat) more successful second half for the Portuguese side.
Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes were both back in the second goal. The southpaw showed all his technical quality before leaving the ball wide for a perfect cross from Rúben Neves to which Fernandes responded with a brilliant and spectacular header into the back of the net. Not satisfied, the Unietd man would score a brace in the game already in added time, with a hangover shot, from the edge of the box.
A “fabricated” 3-0 victory in Manchester that extended the public’s romantic relationship that delighted Luz with this new version of Portugal, even if the performance was not (far from it) perfect. And – although there are still 7 games to go, the EURO 2024 final is just around the corner for Roberto Martínez and his proteges.
The story of the meeting in pictures
The game
With no major surprises in the line-up (the only one was in defense, where Pepe was on the bench and António Silva was in the starting XI), Portugal started with João Félix alongside Ronaldo in attack, but were slow to create danger despite having more time in possession of the ball. The match ran against the claims of Bosnia, who defended behind, but without getting choked, and even managed to be the most dangerous team in their outings for the counter-attack.
Diogo Costa had to apply himself to prevent a cross shot from ending up in the back of his net and Dzeko wasted a great chance to put the visitors in front. In the middle, Portugal even scored, in the 23rd minute, in their best move yet, but Ronaldo was out of position when he headed in after João Cancelo’s cross.
It was only after half an hour that Portugal tested the opposing goalkeeper, with a rare shot from João Félix after a fine combination with Ronaldo. We already thought that the draw would last until the break, but the goal came on top of the break, in this fantastic assist from Bruno Fernandes for the no less fantastic finish from Bernardo Silva.
The second half then brought two more goals (and two pitch invasions). Bosnia tried to react, but only once (very close to the end) did they really test Diogo Costa (who returned to the starting XI) and Portugal, in addition to Bruno Fernandes’ two goals, Could also have used a few more shots better (Diogo Jota, fresh off the bench, for example, incredibly missed a goal after Ronaldo’s pass).
The moment
Minute 44: Raphael Guerreiro started on the left, played for Ronaldo and he left it to Bruno Fernandes, allowing the Manchester United midfielder time, with a delicious low pass, to tear the Bosnian defense apart and leave Bernardo Silva facing the opposing goalkeeper. . The class of the Manchester City player did the rest: a subtle touch, with the left foot passing the ball over the goalkeeper and penetrating into the back of the net with great class. The draw was broken at the best possible moment.
The best
What a great night Bruno Fernandes had in Luz. A high-level assist and two excellent goals: the first from a spectacular header, the second from a shot in his image. In 56 international selections, he now has 15 goals and 12 assists. And he seems to fit perfectly into the role that Roberto Martínez reserves for him in his tactical system.
Worse
João Félix was in the starting line-up when many asked for Rafael Leão to get an opportunity in the XI. The Atlético de Madrid player, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Chelsea, even scored Portugal’s first meaningful shot in the game, but still looked very lost in the game until that he be substituted, in the 62nd minute.
the reactions
Roberto Martínez analyzed the Portuguese performance, Ronaldo and the whistles at Otávio
The words of the Portuguese players after the victory against Bosnia
