Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-5 Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo strikes twice in first-half blitz as visitors continue hot streak
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Updated 16/10/2023 at 21:04 GMT
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice before half-time as Portugal put Bosnia and Herzegovina to the sword in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying. Portugal scored all five of their goals in the first half to continue their perfect record of eight qualifying wins in eight games, inflicting the joint-heaviest ever defeat on the hosts in the process. Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix also struck.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Portugal record an emphatic 5-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, who suffered their joint-heaviest ever defeat.
Portugal had already sealed their UEFA Euro 2024 place in Germany next summer following their 3-2 win over Slovakia on Friday, with Ronaldo - again - scoring twice.
Regardless, Roberto Martinez named a strong starting line-up for this Group J encounter and was rewarded with five first-half goals.
Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix also scored as Portugal made it eight wins from eight in style.
It took Portugal just five minutes to open their account as Ronaldo converted from the spot after Adrian Leon Barisic was adjudged to have handled Felix’s shot.
Felix and Ronaldo combined again when the former set up the latter for his second, with the goal given following a lengthy VAR check for offside, before his former Manchester United team-mate Fernandes got in on the act with a smart finish.
Cancelo curled a beautiful shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty but worse was to come for the bewildered hosts as Felix made it five before half-time.
It was a damage limitation exercise for the hosts after the break and despite being jeered by their home supporters as they returned to the pitch, the second half was a much improved and disciplined display.
While Portugal have top place sealed, Bosnia and Herzegovina are second from bottom, seven points adrift of second-placed Slovakia with just two games remaining.
Savo Milosevic’s side are, however, guaranteed a play-off place after winning their UEFA Nations League group.
Talking point – Portugal make another statement of intent
Portugal boss Martinez could have been forgiven for selecting a weakened team and allowing some of his fringe players an opportunity to impress, but he resisted that temptation and was greatly rewarded.
Bosnia and Herzegovina were supposed to be a team improved under Milosevic but all confidence that may have been built in the 2-0 win over Liechtenstein in his first game in charge had evaporated inside the opening 20 minutes by a clinical and rampant Portugal.
It was another statement of intent from a Portugal team brimming with quality as they look ahead to doing some damage in Germany next summer.
Player of the match – Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
Fernandes was Portugal’s best player. Instrumental to everything positive, the Manchester United forward grabbed two assists and a goal of his own.
Player ratings
Bosnia: Sehic 3, Dedic 4, Barisic 5, Hadzikadunic 4, Kolasinac 4, Pjanic 4, Cimirot 4, Stevanovic 4, Rahmanovic 4, Demirovic 4, Dzeko 4.. subs: Gazibegovic 5, Hadziahmetovic 5, Hamulic 5, Vasilj 6, Gojkovic 5,
Portugal: Costa 6, Dalot 7, Inacio 7, Dias 6, Cancelo 8, Danilo 8, Otavio 8, Fernandes 9*, Felix 9, Leao 8, Ronaldo 8.. subs: Jota 6, Neto 6, Vitinha N/A, Ruben Neves N/A, Joao Neves N/A
Match highlights
3’ - PENALTY TO PORTUGAL! The referee points to the spot for a Barisic handball on a Felix shot. VAR is going to take a look but Bosnia and Herzegovina are not happy... The decision stands.
5’ - GOAL! BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 0-1 PORTUGAL (CRISTIANO RONALDO): Ronaldo sends the goalkeeper Sehic the wrong way as he bags his 126th goal for his country. Eight goals in seven qualifiers. Not a bad record, really.
21’ - GOAL! BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 0-2 PORTUGAL (CRISTIANO RONALDO): It’s a lovely through ball from Felix and Ronaldo clips it over the onrushing goalkeeper – but the offside flag is raised. However, after a lengthy VAR check, the goal is given!
25’ - GOAL! BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 0-3 PORTUGAL (BRUNO FERNANDES): Fernandes gets on the scoresheet as Portugal run riot! The United forward controls a lovely Inacio pass on his chest, takes the ball forward and rifles a shot into the top corner. Beautiful goal.
32’ - GOAL! BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 0-4 PORTUGAL (JOAO CANCELO): Bosnia and Herzegovina's defence is undone again. Fernandes is released on the right, he pulls it back from the byline and although Ronaldo misses with his connection, Cancelo is free on the edge of the box to curl a shot into the top corner.
41’ - GOAL! BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 0-5 PORTUGAL (JOAO FELIX): Otavia runs onto a beautiful ball over the top and he unselfishly rolls it to Felix. He stabs the ball into the net with the outside of his boot but the offside flag is quickly raised. Again, VAR is going to have a closer look at this. And it’s given! 5-0 to Portugal with a few minutes still remaining in the first half.
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