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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes featured for 45 minutes as Portugal beat Finland 4-2 in a pleasant conflict at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.
Fernandes initially began on the bench as Roberto Martinez gave the nod to a midfield trio of Joao Neves (Benfica), Joao Palhinha (Fulham) and Vitinga (Paris Saint-Germain).
Portugal raced to a two-goal lead inside the opening 45 minutes, with Ruben Dias and Diogo Jota discovering the again of the web. The latter’s aim got here from the penalty spot.
Martinez introduced on Fernandes in the course of the interval and the playmaker didn’t disappoint as he pulled the strings from his favoured quantity 10 place in the course of the park.
Fernandes scored the Selecao’s third of the match simply 10 minutes into the second half in sensible trend. He produced a elegant shot from the sting of the field that Lukas Hradecky merely had no likelihood of maintaining out.
Finland threatened to trigger an upset as they scored two fast targets within the area of 5 minutes. Nonetheless, any hopes they harboured of staging a comeback had been thwarted by Fernandes, who did properly as he slotted the ball into the right-bottom nook.
The 29-year-old registered 60 touches of the ball in the course of the time he was on the pitch.
He tried to ping three lengthy balls and located his supposed goal in all three cases. He additionally made two key passes.
Fernandes delved into 4 floor duels. He gained two of them. He was not required to contest any challenges within the air. He drew two fouls and made one clearance.
It was definitely an outstanding show from him and a peep into what he can supply throughout Euro 2024.
Like Fernandes, Diogo Dalot was additionally thrust into proceedings throughout half-time. Dalot put in three tackles and gained six of the ten floor duels he engaged in.
Dalot delivered all 32 of the passes he tried, managing a 100% particular person cross completion fee. Like his United captain, he additionally accomplished 100% of the lengthy balls he tried to attach with.
The best-back launched into 5 dribbles and accomplished three of them.
(Participant stats obtained from Sofascore)
Up subsequent for Portugal is a conflict towards Croatia on Saturday after which Eire three days later earlier than kicking off their Euro 2024 marketing campaign vs. Czechia on June 18.
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