Portugal made light work of Sweden to seal an 11th straight victory with a 5-2 win in Thursday's friendly.
Roberto Martinez's team did not let up after Rafael Leao lashed them ahead in the 24th minute, with Matheus Nunes and Bruno Fernandes putting them three to the good by half-time.
Bruma made matters worse for Sweden before in-form Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres netted at the other end, albeit that goal should have been disallowed for offside.
Goncalo Ramos rounded off Portugal's rout just after the hour, though Gustaf Nilsson did grab another consolation for Sweden in the final stages.
Leao's strike was just his fourth for the Selecao, with the winger hitting his shot sweetly after controlling the rebound from Bernardo Silva's effort off the woodwork.
Portugal's control was cemented just after the half-hour mark, as Silva set up his Manchester City team-mate Nunes for a composed finish from outside the box.
Sweden were punished for more slack defending on the stroke of half-time – Fernandes left free in the six-yard box to power a shot high into the back of the net, taking his international tally to 20 goals.
The hosts started the second half with the same intensity, and Fernandes' pressure paid off when he blocked a clearance and set Bruma up for a tap-in. Just 91 seconds later, Gyokeres pulled one back for Sweden from an offside position, but with no VAR, the goal stood.
Ramos restored Portugal's four-goal lead shortly after, with his eighth goal in 10 international appearances adding further gloss to another fine win under Martinez, though Nilsson – who had earlier tested Rui Patricio with an audacious attempt – ensured Sweden had the final word.
No Ronaldo, no problem
Portugal were without their biggest star in Guimaraes, with Cristiano Ronaldo the most notable absence from the team sheet. But it is not like they struggled without the 39-year-old.
The Selecao have scored 36 goals in their perfect Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, the most of any nation during that time, and they clocked up another five with ease.
Perhaps even more pleasing to their coach, the goals were spread among his midfield and forward line, with Bruma also coming off the bench to make an impact.
They might have gone under the radar, but Portugal could be the ones to watch in Germany come June.
Tomasson's big changes fail to pay off
After playing in a rigid 4-4-2 formation under Janne Andersson, Sweden deployed a more attacking set-up under Jon Dahl Tomasson on Thursday, with Newcastle United star Alexander Isak playing behind Gyokeres, who is thriving in Portugal this season.
It showed the promise of paying off in the second half, with Gyokeres getting his goal just before the hour-mark, but by then it was already too late for them to mount a real comeback, and Nilsson's effort did nothing more than restore a tad more pride.
Three of Portugal's goals were simple tap-ins, with the Selecao's scorers left with an empty net to aim for, and that slack defending will frustrate Tomasson.
Friends For Real triumph in 2024 Pocket Rocket Foundation Six-A-Side Football Competition
Friends For Real emerged as champions of the 2024 Pocket Rocket Foundation Six-A-Side Football Competition, defeating Medley Mixers 1-0 in a thrilling final at the Red Stripe Field on Sunday. The victory was sealed by Emeil Atkinson, whose decisive goal crowned the Olympic Gardens-based team champions in their first appearance at the tournament.
The competition, organized by track and field legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Pocket Rocket Foundation, saw spirited performances from all participants. Medley Mixers had secured their spot in the final with a commanding 3-0 win over Legacy, while Friends For Real edged out Legend 1-0 in a hard-fought semifinal clash.
In the final, both teams battled intensely, but Atkinson’s clinical strike proved to be the difference, handing Friends For Real the championship trophy and a cash prize of JMD$300,000. Captain Wyan Nelson expressed his team’s joy and gratitude following their triumphant debut.
“Words can’t describe how we feel as a team. It is our first time entering the competition, and to be unbeaten is a great feeling,” Nelson said. “Shelly-Ann is doing a great thing, and we look forward to entering next year again.”
Medley Mixers, who gave a valiant effort in the final, received JMD$200,000 for their second-place finish, while Legend claimed third place with a 2-1 victory over Legacy in the playoff. Pelleco Shaw and Devontay Ricketts scored for Legend, who were awarded JMD$100,000 for their efforts.
The tournament showcased not just the competitive spirit of the participating teams but also the community-building impact of the Pocket Rocket Foundation. The event continues to provide a platform for local talent and an opportunity for camaraderie among communities, all while supporting the charitable mission of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
With this victory, Friends For Real have set a high bar for next year’s competition, promising more excitement in what has become a highly anticipated annual event.
Napoli 0-1 Lazio: Isaksen the hero as Partenopei miss chance to return to Serie A summit
Napoli missed the chance to return to the Serie A summit following a 1-0 defeat by Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The Partenopei were beaten for the second time in the space of four days by the Biancoceleste, who also prevailed 3-1 in their Coppa Italia last-16 clash at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
Marco Baroni's side were victorious once again as Gustav Isaksen struck a wonderful winner 11 minutes from time, moving them level on points with third-place Inter.
Scott McTominay and Isaksen went closed during the first half, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shot narrowly wide just before the break.
Both sides struck the woodwork after the restart; Fisayo Dele-Bashiru hitting the crossbar from distance, while Frank Anguissa's header was denied by the post.
However, the visitors snatched all three points in the 79th minute. Tijjani Noslin - Thursday's hat-trick hero - found Isaksen, who rounded off a swift counter by curling a wonderful 20-yard effort beyond Alex Meret.
Data Debrief: Three is the magic number for Lazio
For the first time in their history, Lazio have won three consecutive Serie A matches away at Napoli.
Their sixth victory by a single-goal margin this term - more than any other team in the division - they have also scored a league-high 12 goals in the 75th minute or later.
Isaksen was the matchwinner with his third goal of the season, already matching his tally for the entire 2023-24 campaign.
Bompastor lauds 'brave' Chelsea in record-equalling Brighton win
Sonia Bompastor said she was displeased at the mistakes her Chelsea side made during their 4-2 win over Brighton in the Women's Super League on Sunday.
In the Blues' penultimate league fixture this year, they signed off at Kingsmeadow with a victory in an enthralling encounter with the Seagulls.
A brace from Sjoeke Nusken with further goals from Beever-Jones and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd earned Chelsea all three points, with Jelena Cankovic and Kiko Seike on target for the visitors.
And Chelsea were worthy of their triumph, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 4.08 from their 31 shots compared to Brighton's 2.19 from their 18 efforts.
The Blues' win also saw them equal Arsenal's record from the 2018-19 campaign of winning each of their first nine WSL games of the season.
While only in the infancy of her tenure, Bompastor also broke a record set by the legendary Emma Hayes on Sunday.
The Frenchwoman has won 13 games in a row in all competitions, exceeding Hayes’ club record of 12 consecutive wins set during the 2021-22 season.
But, it was a hard-fought victory against a Brighton side who play a similar possession-based style. As a result, both sides gifted their opposition opportunities.
This was not overly concerning for Bompastor, however, saying she was encouraged by her side's resilience to stick to their game model.
"The two teams made some big mistakes today, especially in the build-up and trying to build from the backline and the keeper," Bompastor said.
"That's something that's going to happen when you have two coaches who have a philosophy that they want to build up.
"I prefer my team and my players to be confident enough and brave enough to try again, even if sometimes you can be in that position when you lose some balls.
"Sometimes it's about making a better decision, executing more quickly, scanning better, controlling - so, a lot of small details that are really important at the high level.
"The best teams are the ones who make the least mistakes. You will always have mistakes in the game, and I want my players to be brave enough to try again."
But hot on Chelsea's heels are Manchester City, who also emerged 4-0 victors on Sunday, beating Leicester City thanks to an inspired display from Khadija Shaw.
Shaw netted the Citizens' first two goals of the game in the first half, with Jessica Park and Mary Fowler on target after the break for the hosts.
Shaw raised her overall tally at the top of the club’s all-time goalscoring chart to 88 after 98 matches in all competitions and represented her 13th strike in 14 appearances this term.
And Taylor highlighted Shaw's importance on and off the ball for his side during their win over the Foxes, labelling her a "complete" striker.
"I’d like to say I’ve helped her in that space, but I think that’s all down to Bunny," Taylor said.
"She arrives in the right moment. They were quite different in the sense that the first one she puts back where it comes almost and makes it difficult for the keeper and I think she controlled it well from Kerstin’s cross.
"The one from Leila is a little more where she gets across her defender and attacks it with power. For me, she’s a very complete striker, Bunny.
"I’ve mentioned more recently about what she gives us without her goals. Her goals are the cherry on the cake with so many opportunities to score.
"She backs that up with the numbers. The work she does without the ball is great, and it allows us to dominate."
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