Portugal continued their perfect streak in Group J of the Euro 2024 qualifiers with a stunning 9-0 win over Luxembourg. Despite the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes drove the team to a historic victory on Monday. This win means Roberto Martinez's side has won all six of their qualifying fixtures, an incredible feat featuring 24 goals scored and zero conceded. It is the largest margin of victory the nation has ever seen. Portugal now holds a five-point advantage over second-place Slovakia, following their recent victory in Bratislava, while Luxembourg remains in third, three points behind Slovakia.
Portugal thrashed Luxembourg 9-0 to extend their perfect start to their Euro 2024 Group J qualifying campaign. Bruno Fernandes led Portugal to a historic 9-0 triumph over Luxembourg on Monday, despite the absence of suspended talisman and all-time leading goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo. Roberto Martinez’s team has now won all six of their qualifying games, without allowing a single goal and scoring 24. This is the country’s largest-ever triumph. Portugal leads Group J by five points, five points ahead of Slovakia, which they defeated in Bratislava on Friday. Luxembourg is third in the standings, three points behind Slovakia.
Manchester United's playmaker Bruno Fernandes was instrumental, contributing one goal and three assists as the Selecao dominated the pitch. The attack was relentless, with Diogo Jota, Goncalo Ramos, and Goncalo Inacio each scoring twice, supported by goals from Joao Felix and Ricardo Horta. This victory further cements Roberto Martinez's perfect start as manager since taking over from Fernando Santos after the Qatar World Cup.
The opening goal came in the 12th minute via a clever header from Sporting Lisbon defender Inacio, assisted by a brilliant ball from Fernandes. Shortly after, Goncalo Ramos of PSG found the net after Fernandes forced a turnover with aggressive pressing. The young striker then added another in the 33rd minute, showcasing a great turn and a clinical finish to mark his sixth goal in eight international appearances.
The match, held at the Algarve stadium on Portugal's southern coast, was a complete rout. Liverpool's Diogo Jota nearly added to the tally earlier when he hit the crossbar. Right before the break, Inacio scored his second from another Fernandes delivery, and Jota opened the second-half scoring, once again thanks to a setup by the Manchester United midfielder.
While Portugal had previously beaten Luxembourg 6-0 in their first-ever meeting in the Grand Duchy, they pushed further this time. Ricardo Horta fired in a shot from the edge of the area to make it 6-0. Jota then scored the seventh after assisting Horta, and Fernandes capped off his great performance with the eighth goal. At 8-0, they had equaled their previous record win, but substitute Joao Felix smashed in a spectacular long-range effort to make it 9-0, setting a new national record.
Portugal is on the verge of qualifying for Euro 2024; they can secure their spot on October 13 if they beat Slovakia and Luxembourg falls to Iceland. Although the 38-year-old Ronaldo missed a chance to extend his record of 123 goals in this match, he will have four more opportunities in a group where Portugal has been peerless. Their six consecutive qualifying wins are a feat unmatched by any other team.