Portugal through to Euro 2016

Portugal through to Euro 2016

Portugal 1-0 Denmark

Though still in search for "vintage Portugal", the Seleção overcame Nicklaus Bendtner and a persistent Danish side to book their place in next summer's European Championship. João Moutinho, in his first match back after a lengthy absence due to injury, scored the winner with a fine, curling effort and Portugal exhibited another strong defensive performance to shut down Denmark in front of a full house at the Quarry in Braga. 

For the visitors, only victory would provide some hope of avoiding the playoffs with Albania in hot pursuit and with an extra match in hand. Portugal, in stark contrast to their recent exploits in major tournament qualifying, needed only a draw to secure safe passage to Euro 2016.

Portugal began the match with some rather nervous touches and even Cristiano Ronaldo was guilty of a few misplaced passes. Hence, it was Denmark that produced the first threat as Braithwaite sent in a near post cross from the right that nearly found the feet of Nicklas Bendtner. Patrício was on hand to smother the danger and prevent Bendtner from adding to his impressive goal tally against the Seleção. 

Neither team was proving to be very efficient at providing the killer pass, but Portugal in particular had several fluent passing movements end with a poor final ball. Ronaldo, who struggled for much of the first half against the attentive Danish defence, scuffed a shot from 25 yards that Schmeichel gathered easily in the 19th minute.

João Moutinho was next to try his luck from distance, but the Monaco midfielder's effort was several yards over the crossbar. Minutes later, Bernardo very nearly picked out Tiago in the centre of the penalty area with a cross from the right, but Simon Kjaer cleared the ball out for a corner. 

Portugal go close

Nani, under criticism for his underwhelming performances throughout qualifying, showed great athleticism to head a chipped pass from Moutinho onto the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area. But it was as close as either team would come to breaking the deadlock in the first half with Portugal just edging the contest in terms of shots and possession. 

The visitors began the second half on the front foot and Nicklas Bendtner, so often a tormentor of the Seleção, smacked the outside of the right post following a cross from the left channel. At the other end, Cédric should have done better in the 52nd minute after a botched clearance fell kindly for him, but the Southampton man dragged his shot wide with his weaker left foot. 

Ronaldo showed exquisite control to bring down a long cross in the left side of the penalty area then fired in a shot straight at Schmeichel that the Danish keeper did well to block. Tiago was first to the rebound, but Schmeichel produced another fine save to deny him.

Moutinho briliance

Portugal were labouring in possession, but finally found the opening goal with a moment of genuine quality from João Moutinho. Nani's excellent corner fell to Moutinho on the edge of the box, and Moutinho, badly missed by both club and country during his injury recovery, dragged the ball back across his body to avoid two defenders, then smacked a well-placed shot past Schmeichel to score his first goal for Portugal in over four years. 

Not to be outdone, Bernardo Silva burst past several defenders after an intelligent decoy run by Cédric, and just missed the far post as he lost his balance. Denmark tried to get back in the game, and Kvist finally sent in a decent shot in the 76th minute, but it was straight at Rui Patrício.

A late flurry of action ensued with Rui Patrício denying both Poulsen and Agger in quick succession, and a Ronaldo shot from a tight angle that was parried away by Schmeichel, but Portugal ultimately secured another 1-0 victory, a record-breaking 6th straight win in Euro 2016 qualifying. Denmark, in spite of the defeat, were fortunate that Serbia managed to overcome Albania tonight with two late goals to give them at least some hope of escaping the playoffs.

Portugal again confirmed the new template for progress under manager Fernando Santos with strong defensive play severely limiting the opposition's chances. Danilo Pereira and Moutinho were also instrumental in preventing the Danes from establishing much of a foothold in the match outside of the usual threat posed by Bendtner. Bernardo Silva was inches away from scoring his first goal for Seleção, and continues to look promising despite his utilization as a winger in Portugal's 4-3-3. Ronaldo's apparent left leg injury was cause for some concern when the Real Madrid forward landed awkwardly after contesting a header, but Portugal march on to their 9th straight international tournament with a game to spare, the first time they have avoided the playoffs since Euro 2008 qualifying.

Portugal will play a "dead rubber" match against Serbia this Sunday in Belgrade. Denmark will await the result of the Albania-Armenia match to see which team will have to compete in the playoffs. 

by Nathan Motz 

Portugal: Rui Patricio, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Cedric, Fabio Coentrão, Joao Moutinho (Fonte, 90'), Danilo Pereira, Tiago, Nani (Quaresma, 82'), Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva (Danny, 76')

Denmark: Kasper Schmeichel, Simon Kjaer, Daniel Agger, Riza Durmisi, Lars Jacobsen, Daniel Wass (Jorgensen, 69'), Michael Krohn-Dehli, Pierre-Emil Hoejbjerg (Kvist, 46'), Martin Braithwaite, Christian Eriksen (Poulsen, 82') , Nicklas Bendtner 

Goals:

[1-0] João Moutinho, 66'