Author: Amrit Santlani
Bruno Fernandes paved the way for Portugal, with the attacking midfielder scoring twice and providing an assist for Bernardo Silva’s opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Cristiano Ronaldo-led side welcomed Edin Dzeko and company to the SL Benfica Stadium in Lisbon on Saturday night, looking to make it three wins from three games under new coach Roberto Martinez.
The hosts managed to win easily 3-0 and take the lead in Group J in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Despite the scoreline, it was the Bosnians who threatened the Portuguese early on.
Portuguese leader Ronaldo put the ball in the back of the net in the 22nd minute with a point-blank header, but the 37-year-old was offside and his goal was disallowed.
Adrian Leon Barišić’s attempted cross almost ended up in the back of the net, but Diogo Costa was alert to the danger and palmed the shot away. Towards the end of the game, his opponent Edin Dzeko also came very close to opening the scoring, but the captain shot over the goal.
Bosnia were punished for their lack of finishing shortly afterwards, with Silva opening the scoring in the 44th minute. Ronaldo passed to Bruno and the midfielder left Bernardo in front of goal, and the 28-year-old dribbled past the goalkeeper to score his 11th international goal.
In the second half, Bruno had a shot blocked by Siniša Saničanin, but scored his first goal of the night in the 77th minute. Ruben Neves took a provocative throw into the area and Fernandes sent a first-time header into the back of the net.
Ronaldo could have had an assist when he passed to Diogo Jota after a Portugal counter-attack, but Ibrahim Šehić made a wonderful save. Shortly afterwards, Costa also made an incredible save to keep his goal intact.
In stoppage time, Fernandes scored the third goal with a volley that sealed the three points for Martinez’s side.
In other matches on Friday, Norway were beaten 2-1 by Scotland, Iceland lost 2-1 to Slovakia, Belgium drew 1-1 with Austria and Albania beat Moldova 2-0.