Euro 2020 Qualifiers: Ronaldo strikes as Portugal beat Luxembourg 3-0

A fluent display from Fernando Santos’ men resulted in a 3-0 win for Portugal in their Euro 2020 qualifier against Luxembourg. Portugal were well primed for a win against minnows Luxembourg, with Santos having an almost full-strength squad at his disposal even without minus defensive midfielder William Carvalho. The Real Betis midfielder pulled out of the squad earlier and was replaced by Everton’s Andre Gomes. Nevertheless, Portugal walked over Luxembourg to leave Ronaldo and co. second in Group B, five points behind table-toppers Ukraine.

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Fernando Santos opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with an exciting trio of Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix and captain Cristiano Ronaldo as forwards. Felix occupied the striker’s role for the game, with Andre Silva and Goncalo Guedes being left on the bench. Portugal started off well, with Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva all over the pitch, fizzing in diagonal balls and setting up chances. Ronaldo was the first one to make an attempt to score, as he shot on target from just outside the box. His shot flew over the bar, but the attempt was a sign of things to come.

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Joao Felix followed suit, as the Atletico Madrid wonder kid attempted a low shot from outside the box. Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris saved comfortably but was set for a busy evening against Portugal’s front three. Bernardo Silva then laid a beautiful ball for Joao Felix, who, after an impressive first touch volleyed just wide off the far post. Portugal’s break came in the 16th minute after a lung-bursting run from Nelson Semedo. Semedo raced across the penalty area, with Luxembourg’s Moris thwarting the full-back. The loose ball, however, fell to Bernardo Silva, who had all the time in the world to comfortably net Portugal’s first goal of the night.

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Portugal's attack wreaks havoc

Bruno Fernandes then joined the party, as he shot low across Moris’ goal. He once again let one fly from just outside the box, but Moris was alert this time, as he made a comfortable save. Joao Felix then had an acrobatic overhead attempt saved by the Luxembourg ‘keeper. Moris then did well to race out of his box and thwart Joao Felix's run, as he cleared the ball from outside his box.

It was now Ronaldo’s time to get on the scoresheet, as he chipped delicately over Moris in the 65th minute to grab Portugal’s second of the night and take his career tally to an impressive 699 goals, before capping it off with his trademark celebration. Goncalo Guedes, brought on as a substitute in place of Bernardo Silva, made it 3-0 in the 89th minute, to cap off a comfortable win for Portugal. Portugal could have scored more, with Joao Felix and Ronaldo guilty of missing chances. But the win means that Portugal are well placed to advance to the next stage of the Euro 2020 qualifiers. 

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