Lisbon (AFP)
Without its star Cristiano Ronaldo, suspended for accumulation of yellow cards, Portugal signed a quiet victory against Azerbaijan (3-0) Tuesday in Baku, in qualifying for the World-2022.
Opposed to the 112th nation in the Fifa ranking, the Portuguese took shelter from the first period thanks to goals from Bernardo Silva (26th) and André Silva (31st).
In the second act, Diogo Jota sealed the score of the meeting with a new achievement (75th).
Installed in the half of Azerbaijan and almost never worried, Portugal found the fault on a recovery in the air of Bernardo Silva (1-0, 26th), perfectly found at the far post by a center from Bruno Fernandes.
Five minutes later, Fernandes centered in the box for Diogo Jota who put in the direction of André Silva, the RB Leipzig striker accommodating the ball in the net without opposition (2-0, 31st) and registering his passing. 18th goal in 45 caps.
The center forward could have afforded a double in a few minutes but his strike in the heart of the box fled the frame while the goalkeeper of Azerbaijan was beaten (35th).
Back from the locker room, Fernando Santos' men managed their advantage, setting a slow pace in the game.
Diogo Jota took the lead and in good timing a cross from Joao Cancelo to register his fourth achievement in these qualifiers (3-0, 75th).
The Portuguese could have added a few more goals but goalkeeper Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev made several good saves ahead of Bruno Fernandes (55th), Bernardo Silva (58th), Diogo Jota (65th) and Joao Mario (82nd).
With this victory, the 2016 European champions have provisionally taken the lead in the group A standings, ahead of Serbia who travel to Ireland in the evening.
Portugal's next match in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers will take place on October 12 with the reception of Luxembourg.
© 2021 AFP