Record victory without the record goalscorer: Portugal celebrated the biggest victory in its association history in qualifying for the European Championship in Germany, even without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo. The Selecao dismantled Luxembourg in Faro 9-0 (4-0) and sits at the top of the table in Group J without losing any points or conceding a goal.
Second behind Portugal, already five points behind, is Slovakia, who left nothing to be desired against bottom-placed Liechtenstein in a 3-0 (3-0) win: the final score was reached after just six minutes.
After three wins in a row, Luxembourg suffered a major setback against the 2016 European champions and is three points behind the Slovaks. Goncalo Ignacio (12th, 45th + 4) and Goncalo Ramos (18th, 34th) brought Portugal into safe waters in Faro before the break. Diogo Jota (57th, 77th), Ricardo Horta (67th), Bruno Fernandes (83rd) and Joao Felix (88th) increased. Portugal had previously won 8-0 three times, twice against Liechtenstein and once against Kuwait.
Luxembourg, with five German legionnaires in the starting line-up, had no chance. Ronaldo, the world’s most successful scorer in international matches with 123 goals, was never missed.
Bosnia-Herzegovina was unable to capitalize on Luxembourg’s second defeat, the former World Cup participant lost 0-1 (0-0) in Iceland. Both opponents are further behind the outsider from the Grand Duchy.
European Championship qualification: Croatia on track thanks to Kramaric
Meanwhile, striker Andrej Kramaric from Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim has shot Croatia to the top of the table in Group D, bringing them a step closer to the finals in Germany (June 14th to July 14th, 2024). The 32-year-old scored the 1-0 (1-0) winning goal in Yerevan in the 13th minute.
The World Cup third place replaced Turkey, trained by Kuntz, at the top. Both teams have ten points, but Croatia has played one game less. Kuntz, who has been criticized in Turkey due to fluctuating results, is seen as a possible candidate for the vacant national coaching position.
Croatia, with Leverkusen’s Josip Stanisic as another Bundesliga professional in the starting line-up, started decisively and earned the win; Neu-Wolfsburg’s Lovro Majer came on as a substitute. Armenia, where Mönchengladbach’s Grant-Leon Ranos played from the start, is only third in the table with seven points. Wales won 2-0 (1-0) in Latvia and caught up with the Armenians on points.
2023-09-12 01:00:05
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