International friendlies round-up: Portugal, France, Spain clinch victories; Netherlands suffered a stunning defeat

Sep 2, 2016 at 12:17 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
International friendlies round-up: Portugal, France, Spain clinch victories; Netherlands suffered a stunning defeat

Euro 2016 champion, Portugal clinched a thrashing victory over Gibraltar by 5-0. With the help of Nani’s brace, Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal easily won the match.

On the other hand, Euro 2016 host and runner-up France beat Italy by 3-1 while Spain earned a victory over the hosts Belgium by 2-0. Netherlands suffered a stunning loss against Greece by 2-1.

Ronaldo-less Portugal were outclassed Gibraltar by 5-0 in their home game. Portugal totally dominated over the visitors as Gibraltar was not able to put a single shots on target in the full game.

Portuguese skipper Nani opened the scoreline in 27 minutes with a volley. Bruno Alves made a good back volley towards unmark Portuguese skipper which Nani finished perfectly.

After ending the first half 1-0, Portugal made the scoreline 2-0 in the 10 minutes of the second half with Nani’s perfect header. After a perfect cross made by Bernardo Silva, Nani finished the ball with header giving no chance to the opponent substitute goal-keeper Robba.

Next 3 goals came in very quick succession from 73 to 79 minutes of the match. In the 73 minutes, debutant Portuguese right-back Joao Cancelo smashed the ball into the net from the tight angle, which Robba failed to stop. Next goal came in 76 minutes through Bernardo Silva’s foot. It was a low-angled shot which ran into the net under the Robba’s body. It was Bernardo Silva’s maiden international goal.

The last goal came from Pepe’s header in 79th minute of the match. Bernardo Silva’s another good cross perfectly netted by the Pepe’s high-jumping header. Portugal made total 38 shots out of which 8 were on target.

In another match, 2016 Euro Cup hosts and runner-up France beat Italy by 3-1. In the 17 minutes, the visitors France led the scoreline with Manchester United forward Anthony Martial’s goal. After taking a long pass from Paul Pogba, which Italy defender Chiellini failed to intercepted, Martial finished the ball successfully.

4 minutes later, hosts Italy equalized the scoreline with Graziano Pelle’s goal. Pelle received the cross form Eder, then turned and made a grounded shot into the net after beating France defender.

In the 28 minutes, visitors once again went ahead through Olivier Giroud’s goal. Giroud scored that goal with a volley into the low corner of the net. French left-back Layvin Kurzawa assisted that ball with headed pass to Giroud. Kurzawa scored visitors’ third goal of the match in the 81 minutes from a difficult angle.

Spain defeated hosts Belgium by 2-0 with the brace score from David Silva. Silva scored the first goal in 34 minutes while he also netted the second goal through a penalty in 62 minutes of the match.

Netherlands suffered a stunning home defeat against Greece by 2-1. In the 14 minutes, Netherlands took an early lead by 1-0 through Georginio Wijnaldum’s goal. Konstantinos Mitroglou scored the equaliser goal for Greece in 29 minutes through a header. In the 74 minutes, substitute Giannis Gianniotas scored the winning goal for Greece through a rocket shot.

After failed to qualify in 2016 Euro Cup, Netherlands is now looking to improve their performances in the upcoming World Cup qualification matches. But before the beginning of that journey, Netherlands got another blow by defeat against Greece.

On the other hand, 2004 Euro champions Greece also failed to qualify in Euro 2016 as they had finished in the last position of the group stage in 2016 Euro cup qualification with only 1 victory. Surely, this win will give them a boost in the beginning of World Cup qualification round.

Brief Scores:

Belgium 0 2 Spain

Netherlands 1 2 Greece

Portugal 50 Gibraltar

Italy 13 France

 

Related Article
France beat Uruguay 1-0 in friendly match
France beat Uruguay 1-0 in friendly match

Nov 21, 2018, 2:58 PM


Costa Rica defeats Peru 3-2 in friendly
Costa Rica defeats Peru 3-2 in friendly

Nov 21, 2018, 2:55 PM


Paraguay draw 1-1 with South Africa in new coach’s debut
Paraguay draw 1-1 with South Africa in new coach’s debut

Nov 21, 2018, 2:36 PM


Neymar plays down injury fears
Neymar plays down injury fears

Nov 21, 2018, 2:25 PM


Italy beat US 1-0 in friendly
Italy beat US 1-0 in friendly

Nov 21, 2018, 1:44 PM


Spain’s Mendez debuts with tally for 1-0 win
Spain’s Mendez debuts with tally for 1-0 win

Nov 19, 2018, 2:42 PM


Desktop Banner
Mobile Banner