Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension did not hurt Portugal as they beat Luxembourg 9-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Ronaldo missed the match after receiving a yellow card in Portugal’s last match and when In his absence, his teammates scored many goals.
Liverpool’s Diogo Jota scored twice along with Goncalo Inacio and Goncalo Ramos. Joao Felix also scored after coming off the bench.
A Bruno Fernandes-inspired Portugal delivered in style to complete a record 9-0 victory over hapless Luxembourg as the Euro 2016 winners progressed to Euro 2024 qualifying. With Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo suspended.
Bruno Fernandes 83
Manchester United captain Fernandes continued his excellent form at the Estadio Algarve after scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over Slovakia on Friday night.
He twice crossed the ball for Goncalo Inacio to find the net with powerful headers and was also involved when Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos scored a double in the first half with a masterful finish as his team Robert Martinez’s ball led 4-0 at halftime.
Portugal [7] – 0 Luxembourg – Diogo Jota 76”
In fact, the scoreline pleased the visitors as Diogo Jota hit the crossbar in the first half before plunging onto another brilliant ball from Bruno to score his fifth in the 57th minute.
Jota then acted as a passer for substitute Ricardo Horta to score a thunderous goal into the net in the 66th minute before scoring the winner in the 77th minute.
Fernandes came on as number eight from the line Horta’s pass in the 83rd minute before Joao Felix scored the ninth with a superb finish in the 88th minute to complete Portugal’s heaviest win of all time.
Portugal currently has 18 points after the first six qualifying matches in Group J, 5 points ahead of Slovakia.
They have yet to lose a single goal in qualifying, with a total of 24 goals yet to equalize. It was only a matter of time before they booked their trip to Germany for next summer.