Bruno Fernandes ran the present for Portugal as they romped to a file 9-0 win over Luxembourg on Monday with out suspended talisman and all-time high goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo. Roberto Martinez’s aspect have now gained all six of their qualifying video games, with out conceding a single objective and scoring 24 themselves, with this the nation’s largest ever victory. Portugal lead the Group J standings, 5 factors away from Slovakia in second place, whom they beat in Bratislava on Friday. Luxembourg are third, three factors behind Slovakia.
Manchester United playmaker Fernandes, who scored Portugal’s winner in opposition to Slovakia, laid on three objectives because the Selecao crammed their boots and scored one himself.
Goncalo Ramos, Diogo Jota and Goncalo Inacio struck two objectives every, whereas Ricardo Horta and Joao Felix additionally scored.
Martinez, who changed Fernando Santos after the Qatar World Cup, has a one hundred pc file on the helm up to now.
“We’re nonetheless originally of a brand new period with a brand new coach and we’re nonetheless taking over board the coach’s concepts,” stated Jota.
“Immediately we set a reference level match (to have a look at in) the long run.”
Sporting Lisbon defender Inacio despatched the hosts forward within the twelfth minute with a header from Fernandes’ beautiful cross with the skin of his foot.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Ramos drilled residence the second 5 minutes later after Fernandes pressed excessive to win the ball again.
The 22-year-old striker then grabbed one other objective within the thirty third minute with a intelligent flip and medical end for his sixth objective in eight appearances for his nation.
Liverpool striker Jota hit the crossbar as Portugal dominated on the Algarve stadium close to the nation’s south coast.
Inacio headed residence his second objective from one other Fernandes cross on the stroke of half-time and Jota struck early within the second half for the fifth, arrange by the Pink Devils midfielder once more.
Portugal thrashed Luxembourg 6-0 of their first conflict within the Grand Duchy and Horta rifled residence from the sting of the field for his or her sixth of the night time to match the haul.
Jota, who arrange Horta, walloped residence the seventh as Portugal continued pushing on with out regret, and Fernandes capped his virtuoso show by netting the eighth.
That matched their earlier finest win, 8-0 on three events, however substitute Felix struck an outstanding ninth from the sting of the field to set Portugal’s new file.
“Now we have an amazing group of gamers, we take each recreation very critically,” stated Horta.
“We’re heading in the right direction, however we’ve issues to enhance. In opposition to Slovakia we performed a recreation that was not on the degree this workforce (can provide).”
Martinez’s aspect can qualify for Euro 2024 on October 13 in the event that they beat Slovakia and Luxembourg fail to beat Iceland.
(This story has not been edited by Ednbox employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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