Liechtenstein 0-2 Portugal
Portugal maintained their perfect record in their 2024 European Championship qualifiers with a 2-0 victory over Liechtenstein on Thursday evening.
Captain Ronaldo was back to lead the line, with Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Joao Cancelo, Diogo Jota, Bernando Silva and Goncalo Ramos all given starts by Roberto Martinez.
The Selecao were in the lead a minute after halftime as Jota set-up Ronaldo to get a yard of space outside and delivered a scorching finish into the top corner.
Portugal sustained the balance of play and grabbed a second as a lapse of concentration in defence allowed Joao Cancelo to intercept and thumped in from a tight angle.
Ramos, who plays for French giants Paris Saint-Germain, got in on the act with a point-blank finish but it didn't stand after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled an offside in the build-up.
Portugal still ended on the winning side despite the disallowed effort, whilst Liechtenstein remain without a point and victory in the group.
Cyprus 1-3 Spain
Spain edged closer to finishing on top of Group A in the qualifiers with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Cyprus at the Alphamega Stadium in Kolossi.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya got a start as FC Barcelona's teen sensation Lamine Yamal joined Real Madrid forward Joselu and Mikel Oyarazabala in attack.
Lamine handed the two-time champions a fast start when he combined with Joselu's delivery on five minutes to make it 1-0.
Within the space of a couple of minutes before the first half concluded, La Roja nabbed a second goal when Alex Grimaldo's ball saw Oyarzabal pounce and found the net.
Spain grabbed a third goal as the host struggled to get any sort of rhythm – leaving Joselu to feed off Oyarzabal's ball and got his name on the score-sheet.
The home team did pull one back late in the second half through Kostas Pileas which needed a review from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) before the goal stood, as La Roja claimed all the points.
Georgia 2-2 Scotland
Scotland needed to come from a goal down at halftime to force a 2-2 draw against Georgia in an entertaining Group A encounter.
Napoli's star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia got the host ahead with a finish inside the opening 15 minutes, but Manchester United's Scott McTominay put the Scots level early in the second half.
Kvaratskhelia completed his brace when he restored their lead through a well-taken finish, but substitute Lawrence Shankland popped up at the death and grabbed the equaliser to give the visitors a point.
Azerbaijan 3-0 Sweden
Sweden's disappointing campaign in the qualifiers continued following a shock 3-0 defeat to Azerbaijan in Group F.
Azerbaijan wasted no time to get going as Emin Makhumdoov got the opener on three minutes and saw Renat Dadashov followed with a second after three minutes.
The host were reduced to ten players early in the second half when Bahlul Mustafazada received his marching orders on the back of a poor challenge.
However, the reduced personnel didn't hinder their all-round approach, as Makhmudov completed a brace to see his nation record a resounding victory.
Estonia 0-2 Austria
Austria moved to the top of Group F ahead of Belgium after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Estonia at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn.
Having qualified for the finals in the last match day, Austria were ahead on 25 minutes played through Konrad Laimer and added another just before halftime through Philipp Lienhart.
There was no response from the host nation, as the course of the match proceeded and ultimately the visitors snatched all the points.
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!