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17.11.2019 » Luxembourg 0-2 Portugal. The much-wanted ticket for the EURO 2020
The reigning European champions made sure they aren't going to miss the upcoming EURO 2020 finals after overcoming their last obstacle this Sunday. As predicted by many of the experts listed on https://bookmakers.net/, Portugal have beaten Luxembourg by 2-0 at the Stade Josy Barthel and once again, Cristiano Ronaldo played an important role in another crucial Portuguese win. Bruno Fernandes broke the deadlock with his goal in the 39th minute of the first half, but it would be Ronaldo's goal sealing the deal for the Seleção, just a few minutes away from the final whistle. Following today's results, Ukraine have clinched the group with 20 points, while Portugal also goes through in second place with 17 points.
Cristiano Ronaldo game photos in Luxembourg vs Portugal
Luxembourg 0-2 Portugal - Goals and highlights:
All Cristiano Ronaldo actions vs Luxembourg:
A very poor pitch made things harder for Portugal...
Roughly 3 years and a half ago, Portugal have stunned the world by becoming European champion in France, beating the host country in the final game of the EURO 2016. Next summer, the Portuguese Team will try to defend their crown in what promises to be a very competitive tournament, but judging by the difficulties they faced to secure the 2nd place in their qualification group, it doesn't look like Fernando Santos' men will be the favorites to lift the trophy again next July.
This Sunday, the evening was everything but comfortable for the Portuguese nation, as Luxembourg played very tight and with a high combative style creating many problems in the way the European champions organized their game. Moreover, a rain-soaked pitch made it extremely difficult to play a very beautiful game and Portugal was naturally the side who got most affected by this factor.
Nevertheless, the Seleção knew the importance of today's game and managed to grab the 3 points thanks to a great goal from Sporting's captain, Bruno Fernandes, but also Cristiano Ronaldo's 99th goal for the Portuguese National Team, this time an easy finish with the ball already standing on the goal line.
Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo secured the win...
The hosts actually a better start in this game and even at half-time, if we were to forget the fact that Portugal had already scored one goal, it would have been a fair statement to say that Luxembourg had created more dangerous plays near Portugal's goal rather than the other way around...
Fortunately for the Seleção, a brilliant long ball from Bernardo Silva in the 39th minute found Bruno Fernandes running into space near one of the edges of the box and following a perfect control, the former Sampdoria midfielder fired his shot into the low right corner of the goal, just inside the post. This was only his second goal with the Portuguese shirt in 19 appearances so far, even though he managed to score 31 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season.
With a 1-goal lead and playing in such a dodgy pitch, a lucky equalizer was a threat taunting the Portuguese's minds throughout almost the entire second half. The moment of relief only took place around the 86th minute of the game, when Diogo Jota's shot led the ball to bounce on the goal line with Cristiano Ronaldo very near the action. The Juventus forward scented the danger and confirmed the goal by pushing the ball into the back of the net and making it 2-0 for Portugal. Mission accomplished for the Portuguese Team and it's now time to start preparing for the battles in next summer's EURO 2020.
Portugal line-up vs Luxembourg:
Goalkeeper: Rui Patrício
Defenders: Raphael Guerreiro, Rúben Dias, José Fonte, Ricardo
Midfielders: Danilo, Bruno Fernandes, Pizzi, Bernardo Silva
Attackers: Cristiano Ronaldo, André Silva.
Match stats provided by www.ronaldo7.net
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||
|---|---|---|
Luxembourg
|
vs
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Portugal
|
0 |
Goals |
2 |
6 |
Shots |
12 |
1 |
Shots on goal |
4 |
4 |
Corner kicks |
5 |
16 |
Fouls commited |
9 |
2 |
Yellow cards |
1 |
0 |
Red cards |
0 |
38% |
Ball possession |
62% |
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Juventus in the Serie A is on November 23, against Atalanta. You can watch Atalanta vs Juventus, Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad, Leganes vs Barcelona, Manchester City vs Chelsea, Arsenal vs Southampton, and Germany vs Northern Ireland, all matches provided from our football live game pages.
Juventus next game:
Atalanta vs Juventus kick-off time (23-11-2019):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 22:00
Jakarta (Indonesia) | UTC/GMT+7: 21:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 19:30
Italy (Turin) | UTC/GMT+1: 15:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 15:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 14:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 11:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 10:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 07:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / eurosport.com / beinsports.com / euronews.com
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