Portugal struggle to narrow World Cup qualifying stage

PBC News: European champions Portugal got their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start thanks to an Azerbaijan own goal in a tight 1-0 Group A victory in Turin on Wednesday.

Azeri captain Maksim Medvedev turned the ball into his own net on 36 minutes, but that was all Portugal could muster against their 108th-ranked opponents.“We had some difficulties, some problems, it’s undeniable,” said Portugal coach Fernando Santos, after his 50th win in charge from 80 matches.

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“In the second half, the team lacked inspiration and fluidity.”

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score at his club side’s Juventus Stadium — with the game on neutral ground due to coronavirus travel restrictions — remaining seven goals short of Iranian Ali Daei’s all-time international scoring record of 109 goals.

Portugal struggled due to poor finishing, a dogged Azeri defence and a series of fine saves from visiting goalkeeper Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev.

“We haven’t been playing together for quite a while,” Santos added. “It’s normal we need to warm up a bit more, but we’ve done what everyone expected us to do.

“We ended up winning, it’s true with an own goal, but maybe we would have deserved to win with a higher score.

“I’m quite satisfied with the performance, even if there is room for improvement. Our future is quite promising.