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Football – The reigning European champion is doing himself good

PostedJune 9, 2021, 23:03

For their last preparation match before the Euro, Portugal easily defeated Israel.

The Portuguese have scored four times against Israel.

AFP

Portugal, opponent of the French, the Germans and the Hungarians in Group F of the Euro, was reassured Wednesday in Lisbon against Israel (4-0) on the occasion of its last preparatory meeting before the Championship of Europe of nations.

After their draw against Spain last Friday (0-0), the reigning European champions have gained a lot of confidence against the modest Israeli selection, 85th in the FIFA rankings and not qualified for the continental tournament.

Bruno Fernandes first concluded an action 100% “made in Manchester” by taking a center back from the side of City, Joao Cancelo, himself launched by Bernardo Silva (1-0, 42nd).

104e but pour Ronaldo

Two minutes later, the Manchester United playmaker served Cristiano Ronaldo in depth, with the Portuguese captain hitting hard with his left foot to score his 104th goal in 175 caps (2-0, 44th) and come closer to just five lengths. of the world record (109) held by Iranian Ali Daei.

Joao Cancelo, with a clear strike from the left at the end of the game (3-0, 86th) and again Bruno Fernandes with a long shot after a ball badly repelled by the Israeli defense (4-0, 91st), have then gave the appearance of correction to the Portuguese victory.

Before the first two goals, Portugal sorely lacked realism despite many clear chances, a recurring evil in recent months: Diogo Jota (10th, 15th), Ruben Neves (16th), Bruno Fernandes (34th) and Ronaldo (28th, 41st) all missed the mark.

Some tests

The second half was played at a much more leisurely pace, Portugal taking the opportunity to review its squad with the entries of Eintracht Frankfurt striker André Silva, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Danilo Pereira, and from Lille midfielder Renato Sanches.

The five-time Golden Ball Cristiano Ronaldo meanwhile gave way to Valencia winger Gonçalo Guedes in the 71st minute.

If he had assured before the meeting that this match against Israel was not a “test” for his players, coach Fernando Santos still allowed himself a few tests in a team little changed at kick-off. The 66-year-old coach, for example, started Granada goalkeeper Rui Silva, who was offered his first minutes in Seleçao.

With the Mancunians

Above all, he was able to count for the first time on all his executives, in particular the trio of Manchester City, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva, recently integrated into the training camp after their Champions League final lost to Chelsea at the end of May ( 1-0).

Portugal, reigning European champions and placed in the very tough group F, will start the continental tournament on June 15 against Hungary in Budapest, then travel to Munich on June 19 to face Germany, before a return in the Hungarian capital for a remake of the final of Euro 2016 against France, on June 23.

(AFP)

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