Bruno Fernandes scored twice while Cristiano Ronaldo was also on target as Portugal eased their way to a 4-0 win at home to Israel on Wednesday as the holders warmed up for the European Championship with a dominant performance.
Portugal looked in total control at an empty Jose Alvalade Stadium and it was only a matter of time before they went in front in the 42nd minute as Joao Cancelo got down the right flank and found Fernandes, who slotted low into the net with one touch.
The Manchester United midfielder then turned provider for Portugal’s second two minutes later by feeding Ronaldo and the captain went for power over placement when it came to shoot, his strike proving too much for Israel keeper Ofir Marciano.
It was Ronaldo’s 104th goal for Portugal and took him within five strikes of matching former Iran striker Ali Daei’s record as the all-time top scorer in international football.
Portugal continued to dictate the pace in the second half and should have added to their lead when Bernardo Silva came face to face with Marciano inside the area but he failed to beat the keeper, who made himself big and clawed his shot away.
1:00Fernando Santos’ side eventually got another goal in the 86th minute thanks to a moment of brilliance from Cancelo, who cut inside from the right wing to curl the ball into the far corner with his left foot.
Fernandes then capped an assured individual performance with an impressive solo strike of his own in added time, unleashing a shot from outside the box which rocketed into the top corner.
The holders begin their defence of the tournament against Hungary in Budapest on June 15 in Group F which also contains Germany and France, the 2014 and 2018 World Cup winners respectively.
What’s next? Euros, transfer window, 2021/22 key dates
Euro 2020 kicks off on Friday June 11 – just 19 days after the conclusion of the 2020/21 Premier League season – and runs until Sunday July 11.
The 2021/22 Premier League campaign will start on the weekend of Saturday August 14 – 34 days after that Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Clubs will be able to start planning for the new term when the top-flight fixtures are released at 9am on Wednesday, June 16 but transfer business can start in earnest before then, with the summer transfer window now open.
The 2021/22 Championship season begins a week before the top-flight one on the weekend of Saturday August 7. All Sky Bet EFL fixtures will be announced at 9am on Thursday June 24.
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