Perfect record for Portugal after two group games
PORTUGAL 5-1 ITALY
Ribeiro 35, Sa 57, Bras 68, Felix 88, Goncales 90 (P); Lipani 6 (I).
Portugal made a big step closer to progress from the group stages after producing a commanding showing to beat Italy 5-1, at the Centenary Stadium.
The Portuguese side have a perfect record after winning their opening two games including last Monday’s against Poland (2-0).
Rodrigo Ribeiro, Gustavo Sa, Gabriel Bras, Hugo Felix and Joao Goncalves scored Portugal’s goals which cancelled Italy’s lead.
In fact, it was Luca Lipani who put the Azzurrini ahead with a sixth-minute header.
However, Portugal’s superiority came to the fore and Lipani’s sending off midway into the first half cost Italy the game.
Ribeiro levelled terms in the first half with a close-range effort. Sa and Bras scored twice in a span of minutes with the first firing into the far post from close-range before the latter headed home from a corner kick.
Felix, Joao’s brother, scored Portugal’s fourth with a solo effort before beating the Italian goalkeeper to the far corner.
Joao Goncalves sealed Portugal’s spectacular win with a brilliant curling effort in stoppage time.
PORTUGAL
G. Ribeiro; G. Esteves (64 M. Fernandes), A, Ribeiro (86 L. Gomes), G. Bras, M. Marques, S. Justo (63 D. Prioste), N. Felix, G. Sa (63 J. Goncalves), H. Felix, R. Ribeiro (78 M. Fale), C. Borges.
Coach: Joaquim Milheiro.
ITALY
D. Mastrantonio; M. Kayode, L. Dellavalle, I. Ragonesi, F. Missori, N. Pisilli (61 L. Amatucci), L. Lipani, C. Ndour (90 S. Vignato), L. Koleosho (75 L. D’Andrea), N. Turco (60 F. Esposito), L. Hasa.
Coach: Alberto Bollini.
