In the match between Portugal and Luxembourg in the 6th match of Group J of the EURO 2024 qualifying round, Portugal destroyed Luxembourg 9-0 on the day superstar Cristiano Ronaldo did not play due to suspension.
Goals : Inacio (12′, 45’+4), Ramos (17′, 33′), Jota (57′, 77′), Horta (67′), Fernandes (83′), Felix (88) ‘)
Welcoming Luxembourg – the team ranked 89th in the world – at home, Portugal did not have the services of captain Ronaldo due to suspension. Goncalos Ramos, a rookie on the PSG payroll, was assigned to lead the attack. Supporting him is the trio of Raphael Leao, Diogo Jota, and Bernardo Silva.
With superior strength and home advantage, Portugal quickly overwhelmed and Luxembourg could only hold out for the first 10 minutes. The nightmare night began for the away team in the 12th minute when Goncalo Inacio jumped high to head the opener from Bruno Fernandes’ pass.
Since then, a rain of goals has taken place at Do Algarve Stadium. Just 5 minutes after the opening goal, Portugal doubled the gap thanks to Goncalo Ramos. During the remainder of the first half, Seleccao scored 2 more goals before retiring with a 4-goal advantage.
In the second half, Portugal continued to attack and “devour” Luxembourg instead of stopping. In the 57th minute, Diogo Jota broke the offside trap and finished neatly to increase the score to 5-0. Luxembourg was mentally depressed, almost giving up, allowing Portugal to easily launch an attack.
As a result, from minutes 67 to 88, Portugal scored 4 more goals, thanks to Ricardo Horta, Jota, Fernandes and Joao Felix respectively. In the end, Seleccao destroyed Luxembourg 9-0. This jubilant victory helps coach Roberto Martinez’s team continue to stay firmly at the top of Group J with 18 absolute points after 6 matches, scoring 24 goals and not conceding a single goal.
They will win tickets to EURO 2024 next summer in Germany if they defeat second-place Slovakia at Do Dragao’s home field on October 14, while third-placed Luxembourg cannot win away from home. Iceland.
Line-up:
Portugal: Costa, Dalot, Inacio, Dias, Semedo, Silva, Pereira, Fernandes, Leao, Jota, Ramos.
Luxembourg: Moris, Mica Pinto, Mahmutovic, Chanot, Jans, Bohnert, Sinani, Barreiro, Rupil, Borges Sanches, Curci.