Without putting in a particularly impressive display, Portugal had a decent workout as they continued their Euro 2016 preparations on a rainy and windswept night in Luxembourg.
Goals from André André and Nani gave an unfamiliar-looking Seleção side a 2-0 victory.
Nani, who was celebrating his 29th birthday, probably summed up the feelings of coach Fernando Santos at the end of the match, saying: “the coach is giving young players a chance, which is good for the future of the Seleção. It’s good that there is competition (for places).”
Santos gave rare starts to Anthony Lopes between the sticks, left-back Raphael Guerreiro, the centre-back partnership of José Fonte and Neto, as well as handing Rúben Neves, Rafa Silva and Lucas João a place in the starting XI of the national team for the first time.
Portugal began brightly with André André forcing Luxembourg goalkeeper Joubert into a sharp save in the opening exchanges. Despite showing good energy and intensity levels the visitors were finding it difficult to create clear chances, and Lopes had to be alert in the 24th minute to deny Bensi after a swift move from the hosts cut through the Seleção defence.
Rafa Silva and Bernardo Silva then both came close in quick succession as Portugal began to exert sustained pressure. Portugal duly took the lead just after the half hour mark, Bernardo Silva passing to Vieirinha, whose cross was thumped into the net by the onrushing André André.
On the stroke of half time the hardworking Lucas João missed a great chance to cap a promising debut with a goal, skewing wide from just six yards out after great build-up play by Bernardo Silva and Rafa.
Guedes and João Mário inject life into Portugal
The second half was something of a non-event as the wind and rain worsened and the usual array of substitutions disrupted the flow of the game. Gonçalo Guedes and João Mário both played lively late cameos, and it was the former who won the free kick from which Portugal scored their second goal in the dying minutes.
Nani stepped up for a direct shot from 20 yards, directing a clever low effort into the corner of the net despite losing his footing as he struck the ball.
There was still time for Nélson Oliveira to come close to a third, Joubert saving instinctively after the striker had been set up by a superb João Mário assist.
“I played with a completely new team, taking advantage of Porto’s midfield, which knows how to play together,” said coach Fernando Santos after the game. “We started very well and could have scored two or three goals in the first 15 minutes, but then slowed down, without explanation, which we can’t do. We picked up again, scored a goal and could have scored more.”
Asked whether he now knows his Euro 2016 squad, the coach replied: “My ideas are getting clearer and clearer with each passing day. In March the squad will be very close to the one I’ll be taking to the Euro, apart from unforeseeable events or if someone suddenly comes to the fore.”
by Tom Kundert
Portugal:
Anthony Lopes, Vieirinha, José Fonte, Neto, Raphael Guerreiro, Rúben Neves (William Carvalho, 80’), Danilo Pereira (Ricardo Pereira, 90’), André André (João Mário, 70’), Bernardo Silva (Nani, 63’), Lucas João (Nélson Oliveira, 80’), Rafa (Gonçalo Guedes, 63’)
