This Friday, Portugal beat the Faroe Islands 3-1 and qualified for the European Under-21 Championship in 2025. The corner team therefore gets direct access to the continental competition with both hands. Fábio Silva, Gabriel Brás and Paulo Bernardo performed the turnaround for Portugal.
Portugal were just one point away from qualifying for Euro 2025, against a vulnerable-looking Faroe Islands side. However, Portugal, away from home, was facing two opponents who were always difficult to deal with: On the one hand, the synthetic field at Djupumyra stadium, in the Atlantic archipelago. On the other hand, the weather, with the temperature close to zero, and the snow and cold to be present at game time.
In the preview of the game, Rui Jorge said that he would like to see a team that would be similar to the one that was presented against Croatia, but that was not the case. There was always a lack of connection between sectors and almost always art and intelligence to find the best ways to break down the opponent’s defense network. Despite the defeat, Rui Jorge will have lessons to learn from this match. Geovany Quenda was leading in the under-21s, and as a starter, after Roberto Martínez had already been called up, Rodrigo Mora also appeared in the starting line-up.
It is also true that, in the first meeting in Faroe, the Faroe Islands had problems, a team that closed a lot of space between the lines and allowed very little to the Portuguese team.
Game story
The Faroe Islands soon defeated themselves and reduced the bloc with the weapons they had. It was a rare encounter for Portugal, facing poor weather and pitch. The first goal of the game came early, from a memorable direct corner by O. Bárðarson. Samuel Soares looked really bad in the photo.
Portugal only managed to respond in the 25th minute, with a shot by Fábio Silva in the post. The equalizing goal came in the 38th minute A good combination from Tiago Santos, which resulted in an excellent finish from the front.
In the second half, the Portuguese team, despite not being able to perform at their best level, appeared to be looser and played football more in line with their qualities. Rui Jorge introduced several changes, with the entry of Henrique Araújo, Pedro Santos and Rodrigo Gomes. Quenda, who was missing from the game in the first half, hit the post with a beautiful shot in the 74th minute.
The Faroe Islands team, back then, defended their block well, and almost managed to score a point, but Portugal certainly managed to change things in the last minutes. Gabriel Brás scored the goal with an excellent header (87). In the 89th minute, it was Paulo Bernardo’s turn, with a beautiful shot that found the back of the net.
Portugal returns to the pitch, Tuesday, at 6pm, in Andorra La Vella. At this stage of the competition, the Portuguese team is in first place in Group G, with 24 points from nine games, after eight wins and one defeat against Greece. Greece and Croatia will now compete for second place.