No stopping Rui Jorge’s men
Despite losing two of the team’s strongest players in Rúben Neves and Gonçalo Guedes, both promoted to the senior side, Portugal U21s produced two more authoritative performances to sweep aside Albania at home (4-0) and Israel away (3-0) in their qualifying campaign for the 2017 European Championship.
The young Seleção outfit thus made it five wins from five matches, and have scored the small matter of 19 goals in the process, conceding just one, to virtually ensure top spot in their group at the halfway stage of the qualifying campaign.
Portugal 4-0 Albania
On Thursday Albania came to Arouca with what must have been a certain level of trepidation having been beaten 6-1 by the Seleção in Tirana recently. But this time Portugal took a while to get going, and goalkeeper Bruno Varela was called into action in the opening half hour as the visitors started better.
The hosts then got the upper hand, and took the lead just before the break as as captain Bruno Fernandes crossed for Ricardo Horta (pictured above) to break the deadlock. The second half was a different story, with Portugal dominating it completely. Carlos Mané, Rúben Vezo and Gonçalo Paciência all got on the score-sheet and it could have been more.
Israel 0-3 Portugal
Rui Jorge brought André Silva into the team against Israel in place of Gonçalo Paciência, and once again the FC Porto B marksman gave indications that he could be the striker the Seleção have been searching for all these years. In his unfussy style, Silva did what he does best, being in the right place at the right time. He scored one goal, was involved in another and generally made himself a potent goal threat to the Israeli defenders throughout.
Portugal went close early on as Ramos smashed an effort against the post, and the Seleção took the lead in the 26th minute as captain Fernandes calmly slotted home a penalty after an Abaid handball. The lead was soon doubled as Gelson Martins did well to win the ball in the box and lay it off to João Cancelo whose cross-shot was turned in by Silva at the far post.
Israel were twice within inches of pulling a goal back after the break, Varela saving brilliantly from Gozlan and Peretz somehow heading against the bar from the rebound when it seemed easier to score.
Portugal quickly reassumed control of the match, and after Fernandes and Horta had gone close the third goal duly arrived, Diogo Jota’s cross headed against the post by Silva, with Horta on hand to knock in the rebound.
“We played a fantastic first half, among the best we’ve played with this squad. We’ve taken a giant step towards securing first place in the group,” said the delighted Rui Jorge after the match.
Portugal were runners up in the 2015 European Championship and should they maintain this form they will fancy their chances of going one better at Poland 2017.
by Tom Kundert
