🌍 Portugal record largest win ever; Wales and Croatia survive | OneFootball

More European qualifiers took place on Monday. Here is what went down.

Fernandes and Jota shine in CR7’s absence

Scorer: Inácio 13′, 45+4′, Ramos 18′, 33′, Jota 59′, 77′, Horta 68′, Fernandes 84′, Félix 89′

There was no Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal against Luxembourg (suspended), but that was no problem for the hosts.

Gonçalo Inácio scored his first international goal after heading home Bruno Fernandes’ trivela cross and the floodgates opened immediately after.

Portugal’s Ronaldo replacement Gonçalo Ramos made things 2-0, before the PSG star secured a brace 16 minutes later as his individual skill dizzied the Luxembourg defenders.

Meanwhile, Fernandes teed up Inácio once again before securing a hat-trick of assists when Diogo Jota chipped home his first goal of the qualifiers.

Liverpool’s main man then earned an assist of his own as Ricardo Horta blasted home for 6-0 before Jota became the third player to record a brace.

To cap off a miserable night for the visitors, Fernandes scored the goal he rightfully deserved and Luxembourg’s coach headed straight down the tunnel before full-time.

He eventually returned, only to watch João Félix put a long-range stunner past goalkeeper Anthony Moris for a ninth time.

The victory is Portugal’s biggest-ever win on the international stage (nine goals from 10 shots on target). They sit top of Group J while Luxembourg are third.

Wales dig deep to edge past Latvia

Scorer: Ramsey 30′ (P)

Wales remained within touching distance of Euro 2024 as they ground out a win in Latvia.

The visitors managed to take control of the pitch in the first half but needed a bit of luck to break the deadlock.

A sloppy challenge by Kaspars Dubra on Harry Wilson drew a penalty, which captain Aaron Ramsey rolled home easily. It was his first goal for his country since November 2021.

In the second half, Wales continued their hunt for another, but Wilson, new Tottenham star Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams all fell short.

Fortunately for Latvia, they avoided a potentially worse situation when Janis Ikaunieks’ potential red card upgrade was dismissed.

A chance to ease the pressure arrived in the final 10 minutes, yet neither Johnson nor Williams could find the target before David Brooks’ volley hit the pitch.

However, the Bournemouth ace made up for his missed effort with a chipped shot in the dying moments to win the match 2-0.

It was Wales’ second win in their last 11 games and they sit fourth in a very tight Group D only three points off the top spot. Latvia sit fifth.

VAR makes Croatia hold their breath

Scorer: Kramarić 14′

Croatia did just enough to move to the top of Group D following a slim victory in Armenia, which will leave boss Zlatko Dalić scratching his head.

Despite the likes of Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić leading the way (the Tottenham star perhaps the best on the pitch), the visitors needed the help of VAR to come out on top.

Andrej Kramarić opened the scoring after redirecting Perišić’s shot and celebrated with his teammates accordingly before Croatia was made to hold their breath.

Following a lengthy review for potential offside, the goal was allowed, but Armenia immediately suggested they wouldn’t be walked over.

In the second half, Josip Stanišić came inches away from doubling Croatia’s lead but dragged his effort wide.

The miss summed up a night of frustration for the visitors, which easily could have gone either way as Armenia piled on the pressure in the final 15 minutes.

Poor finishing from the hosts was the missing factor but they managed to hold the visitors to just one goal despite Croatia’s domination in the statistics (26 shots and 68% possession).

The result sees Croatia level with Turkey but ahead on goal differential while Armenia sit third.

Other matches…

More qualifiers continue on Tuesday with Spain, Italy, Belgium and others in action!