With the victory over Slovakia (1-0), Portugal got off to the best start ever in a qualifying phase. The fifth consecutive victory on the way to Euro 2024 was achieved thanks to a goal from birthday boy Bruno Fernandes.
Despite the insipid performance, the three points in Bratislava represent a giant step towards qualification. The team will play against Luxembourg again on Monday, but without Cristiano Ronaldo, who received a yellow card and, according to the selector, must make way for Gonçalo Ramos.
Today Roberto Martínez surprised at Tehelné Pole. The coach opted for a traditional four-man defense for the first time and omitted the three central defenders used so far. Danilo was passed over and reduced the list of starting players in the first five games to Rúben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Vitinha started for the first time and this was due to the tactical change. Despite playing 4-3-3, the team played in a three-way line in the first build-up phase, with Palhinha playing in the middle between central defenders Rúben Dias and António Silva.
The call from João Félix and João Cancelo gave much food for discussion. And if the striker remained on the bench (and did not leave), the full-back was chosen for the left side of the defense, handing over the right side to Diogo Dalot. Cancelo’s mission was to play inside, but Portugal found it difficult to connect the sectors and the team’s creative players such as Bernardo, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes were slow to pick up the Portuguese game. The physical strength of the Slovakian midfield seemed to surprise and made the Portuguese impatient.
Despite more ball possession and shots (wide) from Vitinha and missed penalties from Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, it was Slovakia that had more discretion in attack and put the Portuguese defense on target more often until half-time. In the 11th minute, Róbert Polievka surprised the Portuguese defenders and threatened Diogo Costa’s goal for the first time. And on 42″ Haraslin appeared in the area and shot hard with his right foot, the ball scraping the goal post.
A minute later, Portugal scored. Bernardo Silva combined with Bruno Fernandes who shot across the goal from the right. Lance was reminiscent of Eusébio, who in 1965 in Bratislava began the epic that would take the skinny boys to the 1966 World Cup. The national team’s birthday boy (he turned 29 yesterday) scored the third goal in this qualifying campaign to put Slovakia ahead. behind at home for the first time in this qualifying phase.
Return from the break with the same and get the best
Bruno Fernandes’ goal saved the Portuguese, but that did not stop the first half from being lukewarm. The Portuguese coach returned for the second half with the same 11 players he left for the break (and would make only three substitutions). João Cancelo showed the first sign of speed as he ran with the ball from one area to another to shoot well for a great save from goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka.
The national lead was small and it was impossible to rest Martínez, especially as Diogo Costa’s attentions were constantly challenged by Peter Pekarik and Ivan Schranz. With more than half an hour to play and after losing Cristiano Ronaldo in Monday’s match against Luxembourg (he saw a yellow card), the coach decided to remove Cancelo in his prime and make way for Nélson Semedo. Rafael Leão and Vitinha also left for Pedro Neto and Otávio, but it was Ronaldo who ultimately stood out in the match, with three shots. One of these was a failure that was rarely seen, despite the merit of Dubravka, who masterfully denied the goal to avoid defeat in bigger numbers.
At the fifth test, the Portuguese match is still not beautiful or convincing for those who expect great matches and defeat, but statistically nothing to point out: five matches, five wins, 15 goals scored, zero goals conceded and strengthened leadership of group J The triumph is also historic for Roberto Martínez, who continues his 100% success with the national team and surpasses the record with Belgium (four wins and a draw in the first five official matches).
The team’s victory in Bratislava was witnessed by Luís Figo, appointed as possible successor to Fernando Gomes as president of the Portuguese Football Federation.
Source: DN
