26 March 2007, by Tom Kundert

Wing wonders signal exciting future for Portugal

Portugal 4-0 Belgium

A scintillating second-half display gave Portugal a convincing victory over Belgium at the Alvalade stadium in their latest Euro 2008 qualifying match.

After a low-key first forty-five minutes the hosts moved up several gears after the break. Nuno Gomes opened the scoring, Ronaldo helped himself to a brace and there was also time for a typically spectacular strike from Quaresma (pictured).

Scolari selected Joao Moutinho to replace the injured Deco while Ricardo Quaresma came in for the suspended Simao in an otherwise full-strength line-up.

With both teams knowing defeat would make qualification extremely difficult, only two clear chances were created in a cagey first half. Quaresma missed when put through on goal by Tiago early on, then in the 19th minute Van Buyten spurned a chance to open the scoring when given a clear sight of goal.

Whatever words Luiz Filipe Scolari said during the interval had the desired effect as Portugal completely outplayed the Belgians, scoring four times and peppering the Belgium net time and again in 45 minutes of bristling entertainment.

Embarrassment of riches

Scolari can certainly not complain about any scarcity of talent in the wing department. Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Quaresma and Simao Sabrosa – suspended for this match – are all in the form of their life. And judging by his bright 20-minute showing, the young pretender Nani is more than willing to push his way into the Brazilian’s thinking. It is no exaggeration to state that Portugal currently have the best set of flankers in the world.

But it was midfield duo Tiago and Moutinho who drove the team forward immediately after the break. First the Lyon man set up Nuno Gomes, who shot wide, then the busy Moutinho feigned to shoot before slipping the ball to Gomes who made amends for his earlier miss by sliding ball into the net in the 55th minute.

Two minutes later the lead was doubled as Quaresma swung over a cross that Stijnen misjudged leaving Cristiano Ronaldo with the easy task of nodding into the empty net.

Quaresma special

In the 68th minute came the moment of the match as Quaresma bamboozled his winger on the edge of the box and despite the close attentions of two markers hit a trademark cross-shot with the outside of his right boot which arced high over the keeper and into the top corner for a magnificent goal. One minute later Quaresma was given a huge ovation as he made way for Nani.

A rampant Portugal were now swarming all over the Belgian rearguard and Cristiano Ronaldo took his international goal tally to 17 with a run across the box, adorned with two high-speed stepovers, followed by a crisp shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Late on Nani went close after a superb run and Moutinho brought a sharp save out of Stijnen as Portugal moved up to third place in the table on 10 points.

A sterner test awaits them in Belgrade on Wednesday, but a similar performance stands a good chance of yielding three further points against Serbia which would to set Scolari’s men well on the road to Euro 2008.

PortuGOAL man of the match:
Ricardo Quaresma – A fantastic goal, an assist and a sparkling all round display signals that the exciting Porto winger has come of age on the international arena.

Portugal:
Ricardo, Miguel, Ricardo Carvalho, Jorge Andrade, Paulo Ferreira, Tiago, Petit (Fernando Meira, 75), Joao Moutinho, Cristiano Ronaldo (Hugo Viana, 78), Nuno Gomes, Quaresma (Nani, 69)
Yellow Cards: Cristiano Ronaldo (43), Nani (82)

Belgium:
Stijnen, Hoefkens (Sterchele, 65), Clement, Van Buyten, Van der Hayden, Fellaini, Mudingayi, De Man, Defour, Martens (Chatelle, 56), Mbo Mpenza (Van Damme, 80)
Yellow Cards: Hoefkens (13), De Man (36), Fellaini (56), Van Damme (88)

Goals:
[1-0] Nuno Gomes, 52
[2-0] Cristiano Ronaldo, 54
[3-0] Quaresma, 68
[4-0] Cristiano Ronaldo, 73