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PORTUGAL 1-0 ARMENIA: RONALDO SETTLES SCRAPPY AFFAIR
Goal.com
Nov 14 2014
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo
By Harry West
Cristiano Ronaldo's close-range finish earned Portugal a 1-0 win in
a scrappy Euro 2016 qualifier with Armenia in Faro on Friday.
In netting the winner, the Real Madrid forward became the all-time
leading goalscorer in European Championship qualification and finals
combined, his 23rd strike seeing him overtake Dane Jon Dahl Tomasson
and former Turkey striker Hakan Sukur.
It was his 25th goal of the season for club and country and settled
a dour affair which offered little in the way of attacking quality.
That will be of no concern to Portugal, however, which dominated
possession for much of the game and finally made the breakthrough
in the 72nd minute when Ronaldo forced the ball over the line at the
second attempt.
The result leaves Portugal second in Group I, occupying an automatic
qualification spot, one point behind Denmark.
Armenia, who defended stubbornly for much of the encounter, remain
at the foot of the table with just one point to their name from
three matches.
There were notable inclusions at fullback for Portugal, with Jose
Bosinwga making his first appearance for four years, while Rapahel
Guerreiro took his bow on the international stage.
Portugal had much the better of the opening quarter of an hour, but
it was Armenia which had the first meaningful effort on goal when Rui
Patricio got down low to his right to keep out Henrikh Mkhitaryan's
free kick after the Borussia Dortmund man had been felled by Ricardo
Carvalho.
Ronaldo threatened for the first time midway through the half, seeing
his shot parried by Roman Berezovski before blazing the rebound high
and wide.
As the game opened up, Patricio was forced into a save by Gevorg
Ghazaryan following a swift counter-attack from the visitor.
Portugal continued to enjoy the majority of possession after the
interval, and Danny went close to an opener when his looping header
struck the top of the crossbar before being held by Berezovski under
pressure from Ronaldo.
The forward continued to pose a threat and duly delivered the telling
blow 18 minutes from time.
Substitute Ricardo Quaresma brought a save out of Berezovski and
after Nani stabbed the loose ball toward goal, Ronaldo was on hand
to bundle over the line.
It was Ronaldo who had netted a stoppage-time winner in the 1-0
victory over Denmark last time out, and he delivered when it mattered
once again.
Eder struck the base of the post with a header a minute from time as
Portugal went in search of a second, but Ronaldo's goal was enough
to secure all three points from what was a labored performance.
http://www.goal.com/en-ca/match/portugal-vs-armenia/1653227/report
Goal.com
Nov 14 2014
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo
By Harry West
Cristiano Ronaldo's close-range finish earned Portugal a 1-0 win in
a scrappy Euro 2016 qualifier with Armenia in Faro on Friday.
In netting the winner, the Real Madrid forward became the all-time
leading goalscorer in European Championship qualification and finals
combined, his 23rd strike seeing him overtake Dane Jon Dahl Tomasson
and former Turkey striker Hakan Sukur.
It was his 25th goal of the season for club and country and settled
a dour affair which offered little in the way of attacking quality.
That will be of no concern to Portugal, however, which dominated
possession for much of the game and finally made the breakthrough
in the 72nd minute when Ronaldo forced the ball over the line at the
second attempt.
The result leaves Portugal second in Group I, occupying an automatic
qualification spot, one point behind Denmark.
Armenia, who defended stubbornly for much of the encounter, remain
at the foot of the table with just one point to their name from
three matches.
There were notable inclusions at fullback for Portugal, with Jose
Bosinwga making his first appearance for four years, while Rapahel
Guerreiro took his bow on the international stage.
Portugal had much the better of the opening quarter of an hour, but
it was Armenia which had the first meaningful effort on goal when Rui
Patricio got down low to his right to keep out Henrikh Mkhitaryan's
free kick after the Borussia Dortmund man had been felled by Ricardo
Carvalho.
Ronaldo threatened for the first time midway through the half, seeing
his shot parried by Roman Berezovski before blazing the rebound high
and wide.
As the game opened up, Patricio was forced into a save by Gevorg
Ghazaryan following a swift counter-attack from the visitor.
Portugal continued to enjoy the majority of possession after the
interval, and Danny went close to an opener when his looping header
struck the top of the crossbar before being held by Berezovski under
pressure from Ronaldo.
The forward continued to pose a threat and duly delivered the telling
blow 18 minutes from time.
Substitute Ricardo Quaresma brought a save out of Berezovski and
after Nani stabbed the loose ball toward goal, Ronaldo was on hand
to bundle over the line.
It was Ronaldo who had netted a stoppage-time winner in the 1-0
victory over Denmark last time out, and he delivered when it mattered
once again.
Eder struck the base of the post with a header a minute from time as
Portugal went in search of a second, but Ronaldo's goal was enough
to secure all three points from what was a labored performance.
http://www.goal.com/en-ca/match/portugal-vs-armenia/1653227/report