Portugal beat Spain 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the European Under-17 Championship at the Netanya Stadium. In minute 9, Afonso Morera disrupted a bad pass from Javier Boner and sent the ball into the net.
He didn’t have to wait long to make amends as he leveled with a header in the 17th minute. Dinis Rodríguez converted a penalty in the 63rd minute to give Portugal a strong start to the second half.
La Rojita shot cautiously in an attempt to take the game to the penalty spot, but Portugal were determined in an exciting process, registering the semi-final clash against France.
frenetic opening
Spain started Netanya with intent and created three chances in the first five minutes.
Iger Bravo’s shot was stopped and the ball fell to Antonio Moreno, who was unable to direct it towards the goal. Miguel Carvalho found freedom outside the area and raised his effort over the crossbar.
Afonso Morera took a harmless shot in the 6th minute but was on hand to give Spain the lead three minutes later. Javier Bonar played an excellent pass into his own box from 18 yards, with Morera dropping the ball and showing excellent ability to cross Nono.
Bonar’s disappointment was cleared up in the 17th minute. Evan Carial’s cross into the danger zone was blown by Wassim Kedari, who soared past Leonardo Barroso and past Diego Fernández.
Spain continued to create chances, Miguel Carvalho hit the crossbar and a few minutes later another attempt missed, Danny Pérez’s shot was saved and Carvalho’s follow-up opened wide.
The chances were few in the rest of the first half, with a cross from Pérez in extra time and a header.
Portugal in front
No matter what José Lima said to his team during the break, Portugal started the second half when they stunned Spain.
A delicious ball from Jono Veloso was released by Dinis Rodríguez and the striker hit Nono on the post of the ball. Veloso gave Evan Lima the opportunity.
FT Portugal 2-1 Spain. Morera equalized after Portugal took the lead in a thrilling match in Netanya. Equipa das Quinas came out strong in the 2nd half, Dinis Rodrigues from a penalty and Portugal with some pressure at the end. pic.twitter.com/MWVg7VWEzQ
-Matthew Marshall (noobzcorp) May 26, 2022
Spain coach Julen Guerrero tried to turn the tide with the likes of Fortune and David Mello replacing Miguel Carvalho and Danny Rodríguez.
Portugal continued to threaten, however, and Lima again missed the goal after some good work from Rodríguez. The pressure paid off in the 63rd minute as Portugal regained the lead.
The pressure was rewarded
Afonso Morera entered the area and his shot was a Yarek Kasiorovsky penalty. Rodríguez was not wrong to advance.
Fortune shot wide in the 64th minute but La Rojita could not put Diego Fernández to the test.
Danny Pérez put Álvaro Guinness ahead in the 77th minute, while José Lima made his first substitution two minutes later when Dinis Rodríguez made way for Rodrigo Ribeiro.
Moreno put pressure on Spain by blocking Moreno’s shot, Iger Bravo’s shot went wide and went over the Guinness bar.
Evan Lima and Ribeiro had the best chances to end the match in extra time, but they couldn’t beat Nono as Portugal held strong under late-game pressure and advanced to the semi-finals to secure victory.
Analysis
Denmark overcame the disappointment of defeat and Portugal showed strength and character to beat Spain, one of the in-form teams in the tournament.
Captain Diego Montiro took a look at the mood in the camp before the match, saying: “I feel like the team has been able to turn tragedy into a strong one. We are still motivated to beat Spain and advance to the semi-finals.
The manager played a key role in that change because he was able to calm us down, show us where we went wrong, and inspire us to trust ourselves and our standards. Now we are very strong mentally and ready to face any adversity. We look forward to continuing our story at this European Championship.”
José Lima’s ability to use Denmark’s loss as motivation is a big reason for the success. He got the tactic from him guarding the four behind Usmane Tajalo and Tario Eszuko.
Velozo has been one of Portugal’s standout players, but the victory was quite a team performance, especially in the final stages when Spain went into half-time.
João Muniz returned to the starting lineup and was instrumental in the success of his Central Defensive partnership with Monteiro.
Munis summed up the victory after the game: “This is what defines the best teams, the ability to react after a bad moment. After the game against Denmark, we raised our heads, focused on what we had to do, we wanted to show what was ours.” Not the film, the determination, the commitment, always until the last minute.”
José Lima was delighted with the victory: “We approached the game well and I think we were very good strategically. The players always believed.
We explained the game very well and the players had an amazing attitude. We won, but the way we won is illuminating. The first half was good, the second half was even better. Knowing that France is a very tough team like Spain, our main objective now is the game against France.
For matthew marshall
lineups
Portugal (4-3-3): Diego Fernandez – Martim Fernandez, Diego Montero, Luis Gomez, Leonardo Burroso – Usmane Diego, Torio Eszuko, Jono Veloso (Vivaldo Semoto 90′) – Afonso Morera (90.90)
Unused alternatives: Francisco Silva, Joao Concio, Jono Munis, Rafael Luis, Diego Andrade
Spain (4-2-3-1): Nono – Javier Bonar, Wasim Kedari, Yarek Kasiorovsky, Ivan Kerial (Victor Moreno 88′) – Antonio Moreno, Gerard Hernandez (UC 88′) – Danny Rodriguez (David Mella 57′), Miguel Fordhoni (5) Alvaro Guinness 77′) -Iker Bravo
Unused alternatives: Ferran Quetklass, Mohamed Suzoho, Carlos Sokorp, Rodrigo Mendoza
Goals:
[1-0] – Alfonso Morera 9′
[1-1] – Xavier Bonar 17 ′
[2-1] – Dinis Rodriguez 63’b
