Axel Allag, Media365, published on Friday November 15, 2024 at 10:49 p.m.
This Friday evening went well for Portugal and Spain who, by winning, will have nothing more to play for on the last day of the group stage.
Portugal, well qualified in the quarter-finals, will have nothing to play in Croatia on Monday evening. This Friday evening, in group A1, Cristiano Ronaldo's teammates were able to bounce back after the draw conceded in Scotland last month (0-0). If Poland had to cope without its captain and technical leader, Robert Lewandowski, it did not come as an expiatory victim at the Porto Dragao. Well organized defensively, they were able to contain a rather disappointing Portugal offensively for 45 minutes, and also played shots to the fullest, like this dry shot from Piatek (37th).
Generous in their efforts, the Poles were able to defend themselves with a sharp collective but, faced with the individual talent of Portugal, this did not prove to be enough and everything collapsed in the second half. Rafael Leão, on a counter initiated from his camp concluded a one-two with Nuno Mendes with an unstoppable header (1-0, 59th). A few minutes later, from the penalty spot, Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the lead with a full-range shot, for his 134th goal in 217 caps (2-0, 71st) and the locals continued their momentum with a sublime strike from Bruno Fernandes (3-0, 80th) and an achievement from Pedro Neto (4-0, 83rd). The festival ended with a scissor from Cristiano Ronaldo, author of a double (5-0, 87th) before Poland saved the honor thanks to Dominik Marczuk (5-1, 88th).
Spain calm against Denmark
In the other match of this group A1, Luka Modric's Croatia was defeated in Scotland (1-0) and is not yet certain of qualifying for the quarters, with Poland and Scotland located at 3 points behind. Second, 6 points behind Portugal, they will face a team that is already qualified, and perhaps less motivated, on Monday evening in Split (8:45 p.m.).
Still in League A, which will necessarily interest the Blues who could come across a group leader in the quarter-finals in the event of second place, Spain was able to secure first place in group A4. Already certain of playing in the quarter-finals next March (first leg on the 20th, return on the 23rd), La Roja scored a 4th consecutive success in this League of Nations, in Copenhagen (1-2). The reigning European champions could have been satisfied with a draw to secure first place but due to their overwhelming domination, they logically won thanks to the achievements of Mikel Oyarzabal, captain of the evening, and Ayoze Pérez ; the reduction of Gustav Isaksen's score being too late (84th). Spain will finish this group stage against Switzerland on Monday while Denmark, runner-up to La Roja in the standings, will challenge Serbia for second place in Leskovac.
