Baku –
Portugal achieve good results without attendance Cristiano Ronaldo. Facing Azerbaijan, Selecao Das Quinas won three goals without reply.
On continued 2022 World Cup Qualification Group A which was held at the Olympic stadium, Baku, Tuesday (7/9/2021) night WIB, Portugal played dominantly with 22 attempts, seven of which were on goal. They controlled 66 percent of ball possession.
Two goals were made in the first half through Bernardo Silva and Andre Silva. While in the second half, Diogo Jota added to his team’s goal coffers. The addition of three points makes Portugal temporarily rise to the top of the standings with 13 points from five matches, three points ahead of nearest rivals Serbia who have just played against Republic of Ireland.
While Azerbaijan is in the bottom position with one point.
The course of the match Azerbaijan vs Portugal
Portugal appears without Cristiano Ronaldo who is serving a yellow card accumulation penalty. Diogo Jota, Andre Silva and Bernardo Silva were used in attack, with Bruno Fernandes supporting in the middle.
However, Portugal had difficulty to penetrate the defense of Azerbaijan. Goalkeeper Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev’s performance under the bar from Azerbaijan denied Portugal’s chances.
Azerbaijan was able to serve Portugal with a hard game. It was only in the 26th minute, Portugal could make a goal from an attack that was built on the left side.
Raphael Guerreiro got the ball before it crossed the line and passed it straight to Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes who saw Bernardo running on the far right sent a high pass.
Silva with the outside of his left foot immediately kicked the ball, which hit the post before going into the net. The goal made Portugal more eager to attack Azerbaijan.
Five minutes later, Portugal doubled the score. Fernandes returned to provide a cross to the far post and Jota cheated in front of an empty goal. There was Andre Silva who easily converted it into a goal.
After winning two goals, Portugal did not reduce the tempo of the game. In the second half, Portugal immediately kicked off and Jota almost scored in the 47th minute if his kick ball in front of goal didn’t fly.
In the 54th minute, it was Fernandes’ turn who tried to threaten after playing a 1-2 pass and shooting hard into the corner of the goal, but Mahammadaliyev was able to deny it.
Jota had another chance in the 65th minute when he got the ball from Andre Silva on the left. As soon as he entered the penalty area, Jota shot with his left foot and the ball was parried, before being struck again with his right foot. Honey, the ball flew away.
However, Jota did not waste a chance in the 75th minute to score and bring Portugal to a 3-0 lead. Joao Cancelo’s cross from the left was headed by Jota into the corner of the goal.
Until the game Azerbaijan vs Portugal ended, the score held for the visitors’ victory.
Lineup
Azerbaijan: Magomedaliyev, Badalov, Hahgverdi, Salahli (Rahim Sadikhov 76 ‘); A. Huseynov, Makhmudov, Qarayev (Anatolii Nuriev 45 ‘), Khalilzade (Ali Ghorbani 45’); Alaskarov, Emreli (Tural Bayramov 63 ‘), Ozobic (VUqar Mustafayev 62’).
Portugal: Rui Patricio; Joao Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro (Nuno Mendes 71′); Moutinho (Joao Mario 78′), Palhinha (Ruben Neves 45′), Bruno Fernandes; Jota (Goncalo Guedes 78′), Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva (Otavio 78′).
(mrp/ran)
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