After Portugal were held harmless against Poland before the break and had better chances, the Selecao got rolling in the second half and eventually beat the beleaguered visitors 5-1. Portugal are now in the quarter-finals of the Nations League, Poland have no chance of progressing any further.
There was much to celebrate after the break: the Portuguese around Cristiano Ronaldo.IMAGO/Maciej Rogowski
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez restarted the rotation machine after the zero number in the home game against Scotland in October: only the keeper Diogo Costa, Antonio Silva, Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes and the captain Cristiano Ronaldo again in the eleventh. Former Augsburg player Renato Veiga defended in the center of defence, Bayern’s Joao Palhinha was missing.
Polish coach Michal Probierz made five substitutions after the wild 3-3 draw against Croatia: Dawidowicz, Moder, Swiderski and Wolfsburg’s Kaminski were replaced by Piatkowski, Bereszynski, Romanczuk and former Herthan player Piatek. Attacking man Szymanski was also out for a short while and was replaced by Bogusz.
Portugal with more possession – Poland with more chances
In an uneven opening phase, Portugal had the optical advantage, but the guests had the first goal: Diogo Costa (12th) certainly took Bereszynski’s header. The keeper was also at his post when Zalewski’s powerful finish from the second set (21′). A little later, Nuno Mendes saved in need: Bereszynski,
On the other hand, the visitors had two good chances shortly before the break: Piatek’s shot from around 20 meters missed the goal (38th), shortly afterwards Diogo Dalot deflected a cross dangerously towards his own goal. himself, his keeper but he was there with a goal. lightning reflex (41.). It wasn’t until stoppage time in the first half that the Portuguese had their first big chance: After a break, Rafael Leao brought the ball into the middle, where Cristiano Ronaldo shot the goal from the air in front of the goal (45th). +1).
A perfect counterattack gives Portugal the lead
Nations League, 5th game - Friday
The Portuguese came out of the break with commitment and a lot of pressure, but their attacks ended repeatedly, apart from a shot from Rafael Leao (49th), the hosts did not even get a shot. On the other side, substitute Marczuk tested Diogo Costa with a long-range shot (59′). Less than a minute later the bell rang: After a perfect counter-attack executed by Rafael Leao and Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leao headed the ball in the center directly in front of the goal - giving the hand in Portugal lead 1-0 (59′).
After a tense moment, apart from a shot by Bruno Fernandes (69th), the Portuguese received a handball penalty with their best combination. After a nice short passing game, Diogo Dalot shot, Kiwior touched the ball with his hand (71′) – Cristiano Ronaldo turned safely from the spot into the center to make it 2-0 (72′). Poland even had a chance to connect directly, but Zalewski missed the finish after a nice solo – Buksa managed to shoot, but Diogo Costa was there (75th).
Poland is falling apart – the stars make it clear
Shortly after, the Portuguese made it clear: First Bruno Fernandes had a lot of space and scored a dream goal from far under the crossbar (80th), shortly after Pedro Neto finished right in front of the goal - and hit he the ball. into the close corner (84.). But that wasn’t enough, the Poles finally seemed to have lost the ball in their own penalty area, Vitinha chipped a ball to Cristiano Ronaldo - the captain finished artfully with a combination of side kicks and overhead kicks ( 87th).
However, the Selecao still had to swallow Poland’s consolation goal: After Nuno Tavares lost the ball, Marczuk made the final score 1:5 (88th). Poland no longer have a chance to reach the quarter finals,
At the end of the international season, Poland face Scotland at home on Monday (8.45 pm). At the same time, Portugal is challenged in Croatia.
How does team rotation impact players’ chemistry and performance in high-stakes matches like the Nations League?
Interview: Time.news Editor Meets Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our segment, [Expert’s Name], a renowned football analyst. Today, we’re diving deep into Portugal’s recent performance in the Nations League against Poland. What were your first impressions of the match?
Expert: Thanks for having me! Portugal’s second-half performance was impressive, showcasing their ability to adapt and dominate after a challenging first half. The way they converted their chances into a resounding 5-1 victory really reflects their quality as a team.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! In the first half, it seemed Poland capitalized on some early opportunities, despite having less possession. How did you interpret Portugal’s approach during that period?
Expert: It was a bit surprising, to be honest. Portugal appeared nervous initially, allowing Poland to create some good chances. The fact that Diogo Costa had to make some crucial saves highlighted that their defense was under pressure. It’s a testament to Poland’s resilience that they kept pushing even with less possession.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of Portugal’s defense, Roberto Martinez made several changes to the lineup after the Scotland match. Do you think this rotation method affects team chemistry?
Expert: Rotation is a double-edged sword. While it allows for squad depth and freshness, it can disrupt the on-field chemistry. However, Martinez seems to have found a balance, easing key players like Cristiano Ronaldo back in while integrating newer ones efficiently. The team’s performance in the second half shows they were able to gel quickly when it mattered most.
Time.news Editor: Ronaldo certainly remains a crucial element of the squad. How did his involvement influence the game, particularly in the first half?
Expert: Ronaldo’s experience is invaluable. Even though he didn’t score in the first half, his presence created space and anxiety in the Polish defense which ultimately opened opportunities for others, like Rafael Leao. His astonishing strike right before halftime was not just monumental in terms of morale; it shifted the momentum entirely.
Time.news Editor: Portugal came out strong in the second half, scoring immediately after the break. How significant do you think that moment was for the team’s confidence?
Expert: That was pivotal. A quick goal right after halftime can demoralize the opposing team while energizing the scoring team. Portugal’s counter-attack was brilliantly executed, showcasing their tactical discipline and attacking prowess. It shifted the pressure squarely onto Poland, who struggled to recover from that blow.
Time.news Editor: The final score was 5-1, a massive win. What does this result say about Portugal’s ambitions in the Nations League?
Expert: It indicates strong ambitions indeed! Such a dominating performance, especially in the knockout stages, sends a statement to other contenders. Their ability to respond to pressure and convert chances will make them one of the teams to watch as the tournament progresses.
Time.news Editor: Poland’s failure to progress further in the tournament was marked by this defeat. What do you think their path forward should be?
Expert: Poland needs to regroup and assess their tactical approach. They have talent, but consistency will be key. Investing in developing younger players while solidifying their defensive strategies will be crucial as they prepare for future competitions.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insights, [Expert’s Name]. It’s always a pleasure to explore the complexities of football with you. Until next time!
Expert: My pleasure! Looking forward to our next discussion.