Portugal lost the leadership of its UEFA Nations League group in June after losing to Switzerland and this Saturday it has been regained thanks to a convincing victory in Prague against the Czech Republic (0-4) and the triumph of the Swiss against Spain. The Portuguese will play the pass to the 'final four' at home on the last day against the Spanish. A draw is worth it.
The match in the Czech lands began with a great scare for the Portuguese and especially for Cristiano Ronaldo, who ended up with a bloody nose after a violent blow with goalkeeper Vaclik in a ball divided by the ball. Despite the showy image, the Madeira star continued on the pitch to contribute to his team's win.
The locals came out with high pressure, but they were soon subdued by a Portugal that prowled the rival area without rest. The goals were falling under their own weight. Fernando Santos's men played and played, doing damage especially with inside passes behind the back of the local defense, which began to show fissures.
Ronaldo, who was playing his 190th game with the Portuguese national team, incomprehensibly missed a clear shot, after one of those stringing plays. The Czech Barak, in the ranks of Fiorentina, had the opportunity to put his team ahead with a header in the 30th minute, but it went slightly wide.
And shortly after, defender Dalot, from Manchester United, did beat Vaclík, after a great play that he himself started in the middle of the field and that culminated in a shot after a pass from Rafael Leao. Before the break, Bruno Fernandes took advantage of a defensive error by the locals to shoot at will, after a pass from the left by Mario Rui.
The Czechs were able to get into the game, but Schick squandered a penalty after a Ronaldo handball in the box. After the restart, Dalot tried from a long distance and beat Vaclíc again, who did not have his night, with a shot that the goalkeeper should have saved.
With the commitment on track, the Portuguese coach removed Silva and Leao, reserving them for the duel against Spain on Tuesday in Braga. Diogo Jota, who entered after Leao, got the fourth for his team, after a corner kick that Ronaldo touched lightly to find only the English Wolverhampton player. The Czechs will need to beat Switzerland on the final day to stay in the top flight of the UEFA Nations League.
República Checa: Omelet; Winter, Brabec (min. 22: Kúdela), Jemelka; Coufal, Soucek (min.76: Kuchta), Král, Zelený (min.62: Vlkanova); Barák (min. 62: Sevcik), Schick, Hlozek (min. 62: Cerny).
Portugal: Coast; Dalot, Dias, Pereira (min.83: Mário), Rui; Carvalho (min.73: Palhinha), Fernandes (min.73: Nunes), Neves; Silva (min.66: Horta); Ronaldo, Leao (min.66: Jota).
Goals: 0-1, M.33: Dalot. 0-2, M.45: Fernandes. 0-3, M.51: Dalot. 0-4, M.82: Jack.
Referee: Srdjan Jovanovich (Serbia). He showed no cards.
Incidents: Match of the fifth day of Group A2 of the League of Nations played at the Eden Stadium in Prague before 19,322 spectators (full).
