Portugal beat Liechtenstein 2-0 in the European Championship qualification competition in Vaduz for the eighth time in a row.
The game was scoreless before halftime, but Cristiano Ronaldo broke free and put a strong shot past Benjamin Buchel to give his team the lead two minutes later.
Joao Cancelo made it 2-0 for the Selec’o in the 57th minute, extending the lead on his own. Four minutes in, José Sá produced a crucial stop that kept Dennis Salanovic at a distance.
Portugal easily trounced Germany in front of 5,749 fans at Rheinpark Stadion. Goncalo Ramos was denied a goal after a prolonged VAR intervention.
First Half
Portugal’s main distributor, Rben Neves, had a major role in shaping the team’s early playing philosophy. He played in a back three as the holding midfielder between Toti Gomes and Antonio Silva. And his companion was Antonio Silva.
The Wolverhampton midfielder tried a low, looping shot as the team’s first attempt at goal, but Benjamin Buchel deflected it wide.
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Buchel’s error in playing a cross into the penalty area stopped Cristiano Ronaldo’s attempt. Following some good passing between Joo Cancelo and Bernardo Silva, Goncalo Ramos ultimately attempted a shot that went wide.
Opportunities were hard to come by, and Bruno Fernandes tried his luck with long-range attempts before Ronaldo eventually settled into a rhythm in extra time. The player, 38, attempted an overhead bicycle kick to score, but Buchel stopped all of his shots, and the goalie stopped the player’s third attempt.
The options are depressing.
Following the intermission, Konrad Funfstuck replaced the originally scheduled Simon Luchinger with Livio Meier because Roberto Martinez would not agree that changes were necessary.
Portugal’s finest opportunity of the game came after only twenty seconds of play when Ronaldo met Cancelo’s cross and struck the post. Portugal, though, failed to score. He eventually apologized after what looked like barely a minute or two.
Diogo Jota took advantage of the opportunity to move the superstar into space by taking his time and striking Buchel with a potent left-footed blow.
Ronaldo failed to hold off his shot after receiving another cross from Cancelo, but the Selecao’s unwavering perseverance paid off as they were able to extend their lead in the 57th minute.
António Silva liberated Joo Cancelo, whom Buchel had kidnapped and imprisoned in a no-man’s land. Cancelo moved inside Lars Traber to try to blast the ball into an empty net, taking advantage of the position.
Ricardo Horta replaced Bernardo Silva prior to Liechtenstein’s lone meaningful attempt in the match. Marcel Buchel sent Dennis Salanovic clear, and José Sá made a crucial save by stepping off his line.
Portugal wins with relative ease.
With 67 minutes left in the game, Vitinha and Bruma came in for Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo, forcing Martinez to return to the bench.
Now that Bruma was involved, Joao Félix could move faster and closer to the action. The Barcelona attacker put the ball in the goal, but he was positioned behind the play, so the shot went over the crossbar rather than into the goal.
Goncalo Ramos was there to score the game-winning goal by tapping it in from close range following Vitinha’s free kick. The goal was subsequently reversed, though, when it was determined after five minutes of review by the video assistance referee (VAR) that António Silva had been playing just slightly behind the line.
To help Portugal win a dull football match, Joo Mário and Joo Neves entered the game after Cancelo and Félix were substituted off the pitch.
Taking a Measure
Roberto Martinez changed both the starting lineup and the players several times during the qualifications. Rben Neves used a back three to start his all-out attack against Vaduz. The opponent in this match was Vaduz.
There was very little penetration since Liechtenstein’s midfield was positioned so close to a flat back five. This was particularly evident in the space between the lines, as Diogo Jota and Bernardo Silva attempted to support a midfielder named Bruno Fernandes, who was by himself.
Jota and Bernardo Silva were allowed more chances to touch the ball in the second half, which gave the Selecao a stronger opportunity to take control of the match.
José Sá, Toti Gomes, and Joo Mário—all of whom were playing in their debut game—will always remember the clash as a historic one, even though most fans may not recall it.
Few supporters will be pleased with the Selecço’s 2-0 victory over Liechtenstein, but it gives Roberto Martnez more time to try new things and get to know his players before the Selecço’s final qualification match against Iceland at Estádio José Alvalade on Sunday.
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