PORTUGAL rounded off a good UEFA Nations League week with a convincing 2-0 win over Czech Republic.
The visitors did well to restrain Os Navegadores from making the breakthrough in the first half.
But two goals in five minutes from Manchester City star Joao Cancelo and Valencia forward Goncalo Guedes was enough for the Portuguese to claim all three points.
- RESULT: Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
- TV/Live stream: Box Nation
- Portugal XI: Costa, Cancelo, Pepe, Pereira, Guerreiro; Silva, Carvalho, Neves; Guedes, Ronaldo, Jota
- Czech Republic XI: Stanek, Zima, Brabec, Mateju; Coufal, Soucek, Sadilek, Havel; Lingr, Kuchta, Hiozek
Last chance saloon for CR7
The World Cup in Qatar could be the last chance the Portuguese talisman has to have a real chance at trying to win the trophy.
While they will not be the most fancied team at the tournament, they have enough players able to turn a game in an instant.
One of the greatest players the game has seen will not be content without having a good go at winning the big one.
Could Qatar be the swansong for the Man Utd striker?
Credit: Reuters Santos looking for more silverware
Fernando Santos will be confident that his side can take on any side when they are on form.
With the wealth of attacking talent at his disposal, goals are never far away with this Portugal side.
Against better sides, they will not be able to give some of the chances they have gifted to the Czech Republic tonight.
Force to be reckoned with
Not many sides will want to face Portugal in the knockout rounds of the World Cup in Qatar.
With Cristiano Ronaldo in the team, they are capable of doing the sublime from a glimmer of a chance.
Add to that the likes of Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes and this side can hurt anyone.
The Portuguese fans will be quietly looking forward to Qatar.
Portuguese top group at halfway stage
With three games played in the Nations League, Portugal sit at the top having amassed 7 points from their three games.
They are closely followed by Spain on 5 points.
Czech Republic drop to third place on 4 points.
FT: Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
The referee brings the game to a close.
A solid victory for Fernando Santos’ team.
Portugal top the group in the Nations League Group A2.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
90+2. Joao Moutinho is penalised for a push on Adam Vlkanova.
Sadilek swings in the cross from the free kick.
Safe hands from Diogo Costa as he catches the ball.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
90. Yellow card for Joao Cancelo.
Vladimir Coufal whips in the cross.
Bruno Fernandes clears the ball.
Credit: AP Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
88. Ruben Neves is replaced by Joao Moutinho.
Goncalo Guedes is replaced by Joao Palhinha.
Cancelo commits a foul on Adam Vlkanova.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
86. Ruben Neves makes a defensive blunder which could cost them.
Adam Vlkanova finds himself with a one on one with the keeper.
How did he miss that??
Huge chance!
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
84. Michal Sadilek swings in a cross from the corner.
Pepe clears the ball.
Alex Kral is penalised for a foul on Raphael Guerreiro.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
82. Fernandes gets a ball into the box and in the play.
Play stops as VAR checks for a potential penalty.
VAR check over, no further action.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
80. Brabec makes an error for the visitors which could cost them a goal.
Bruno Fernandes tries to thread a pass but it is blocked.
He looks to take the corner for Portugal.
Credit: AP Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
78. Goncalo Guedes looks to thread the ball through but it is cut out.
Diogo Jota is leaving the pitch to be replaced by Rafael Leao.
Fresh legs being brought on for the hosts.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
76. Nothing has changed in terms of possession in this half, Portugal are still dominating the ball.
With them being the home side you would expect this.
Coufal puts a cross into the box from a short corner but Diogo Costa catches the ball with ease.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
74. Goncalo Guedes looks to thread the ball into the box.
Intercepted by the Czech Republic defence.
The ball is swiftly cleared.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
72. Cancelo is penalised for pushing Vaclav Jemelka.
Adam Hlozek leaves the field to be replaced by Adam Vlkanova.
Time is beginning to run out for the visitor’s ambitions of getting anything out of this game.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
70. Portugal break away at pace.
Bruno Fernandes threads the ball through.
Ronaldo takes it in his stride and gets a shot away at goal but again the keeper is equal to the effort and saves.
Credit: Reuters Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
68. Bernardo Silva is replaced by Vitinha.
William Carvalho is replaced by Bruno Fernandes.
The attendance here today is 44,100.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
66. Diogo Jota steams forward looking to create something.
He manages to create some space to get a cross into the box.
Sadilek manages to clear the ball for the visitors.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
64. Goncalo Guedes looks to cross the ball.
It is too deep and goes out for a throw in.
Bernardo Silva is penalised for a push on Sadilek.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
62. Jota gets a shot away in the box.
Stanek can only parry the ball clear.
Czech Republic clear their lines.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
60. Adam Hlozek looks to get things moving for the visitors.
He threads the ball through to Jurecka.
His effort sails wide of the goal but better approach play by the Czech Republic.
Credit: Getty Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
58. Jota tries his luck from distance.
The shot it easily blocked.
Czech Republic start a counter-attack.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
56. Jota is a gain penalised for a foul on Coufal.
This seems to be a reoccurring theme.
The visitors start a counter attack.
Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic
54. With the need for the visitors to attack more, Portugal are looking to pick them off on the break.
Guedes plays a ball in behind the defence.
The keeper reads it too well and cuts out any danger.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
