LISBON – Portugal corrected the Czech Republic 4-0 and topped Group B, thanks in particular to Diego Dalot, who scored two goals on Saturday in Prague during the penultimate day of the Nations League.
Manchester United opened the scoring after a self-initiated action (1-0, 33rd position) before Bruno Fernandes, his team-mate at the Red Devils, broke before the break (2-0, 45+2). In the second half, Diogo Dalot gave himself a double (3-0, 52) and Diogo Jota completed the Portuguese ride (4-0, 82).
After thirty minutes of play, the Seleção gained momentum. Diogo Dalot launched a breakthrough in the Czech half before relying on Bruno Fernandez, who crossed into the penalty area. Well positioned, Rafael Liao returned to Dalot who recovered the ball victorious from the penalty kick (1-0, 33).
The 2016 European Champion gave some air when Mario Roy sent a left-sided cross into the heart of the Czech area that Bruno Fernandes pushed well into the back of the net (2-0, 45+2).
For his part, Cristiano Ronaldo, another Manconi, did not appear on a great evening marking his 190th selection. He hit in the nose in the 13th minute, then ‘CR7’ missed the ball completely by wasting the ball when Bruno Fernandes sent him to the penalty spot (24). The 37-year-old striker then missed his aerial shot after a cross from Fernandez (39th place).
Worse, the five-time Golden Ball incurred a penalty when the ball hit his hand, protecting his face from a Czech corner kick, the referee relied on the VAR to check the penalty.
But the Portuguese captain’s mistake was ultimately illogical since Patrick Schick sent his shot over Portugal’s cages (45+6).
In the second half, Portugal returned the point from its first chance. Staying ahead, Diogo Dalot inherited an entire pivot ball a few meters from the entrance to the surface. Then he fired a curled shot from the left, leaving no chance for Tomas Vaclic (3-0, 52).
At the end of the match, in a corner kick, Cristiano Ronaldo climbed higher than anyone else to turn the ball towards the far post where Diogo Jota followed well and ended the Portuguese shot with a header (4-0, 82).
At the end of the penultimate day, Portugal advanced in Group B with 10 points, taking advantage of Spain’s defeat at home to Switzerland (2-1) at the same time.
Tuesday, when their Spanish neighbors greeted a shocker at the summit (8:45 pm) in Braga, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates will be able to win a draw to join the fourth final of the Nations League.
