Portugal 2-0 Netherlands
Absolutely brilliant. There’s not a lot more you can say about this Portuguese campaign at the under-17 Euro in Azerbaijan.
With the exact same starting line-up that dominated Austria in the quarter-finals, the youngsters took yet another step forward and secured a place in the final after a 2-0 win against the Netherlands.
A goal in each half by José Gomes and Diogo Dalot saw off the Dutch.
After a few minutes of evenly balanced football, the Dutch had a threatening cross that no one managed to turn into a shot and… that was it. That somewhat threatening chance had a wake-up effect in the “Nação Valente” and from that moment on the match was under Portuguese control.
It wasn’t easy to create clear-cut opportunities though so the chances had to come some other way. From outside the box both Gedson Fernandes and Dju gave warnings to Van De Meulenhof and set-pieces were the other route taken to provoke danger in the Dutch box.
Gomes on the mark again
Florentino headed over after a corner before José Gomes managed to open the scoring after a right-sided free-kick. João Filipe assisted for the Benfica striker who rose above everyone in the box and scored for the 7th time in the competition.
Before the end of the 1st half José Gomes could’ve made it 2-0 after a cross from Diogo Dalot but didn’t manage to score what would have been a tournament record equalling 8th. Quina also fell short of doubling the lead before the break.
The second period of the game had a lot fewer chances with Portugal mainly trying to control the match, but due to how well organised Helio Sousa’s side was you didn’t see many chances for the young Dutchmen either.
Dalot shines
Diogo Dalot put in an absolutely blinding performance, with several important clearances and tackles as well as being a prolific offensive force. From one of his runs forward, the talented Porto full-back saw the Netherlands goalkeeper poorly positioned, expecting a cross, and aimed at the space between him and the near post, scoring the second and ending any remaining chance for the Dutch to come back into the match.
Portugal controlled the remainder of the game and were always sharp enough defensively to keep the “Oranje” at bay. In fact, Portugal is still yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
Will this group of brilliant young prospects be able to finish up their campaign in Azerbaijan with yet another clean sheet? And an even more important question: will this squad be able to bring the trophy back to Portugal after the Iberian final against Spain? I definitely believe so.
By Tiago Estêvão
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Diogo Dalot, Diogo Queirós (Cap.), Diogo Leite, Rúben Vinagre; Florentino, Gedson Fernandes, Domingos Quina (Miguel Luís, 58´), João Filipe (Thierry Correia, 74´), Mesaque Dju, José Gomes.
Goals:
[1-0] José Gomes, 26´
[2-0] Diogo Dalot, 56´
