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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was essential but once more for Portugal, this time as they got here from behind to beat Germany and e book their spot within the Nations League remaining.
Germany took the lead moments after the break, as Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz headed previous Diogo Costa.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez then turned to his bench and made three modifications, one in all which noticed Francisco Conceicao come on. Martinez’s substitutions labored a deal with.
Conceicao drew the Selecao degree with a stupendous long-range curling effort. This jolted Portugal again into life and so they went on to take the lead simply 5 minutes later, with Cristiano Ronaldo tapping in cross from Nuno Mendes.
It was a deserved victory for Portugal, who dominated many of the sport. They began nicely, with Ronaldo getting on the top of a few possibilities, however he couldn’t fairly discover the completion.
Fernandes discovered himself in quite a lot of promising positions and was one in all Portugal’s most harmful gamers. He got here near scoring however his highly effective shot simply flew large.
The United skipper performed a key position in Portugal’s successful objective, as he delivered the ball into Mendes’ path with essentially the most delicate of passes, inviting the Paris Saint-Germain defender to sq. it to Ronaldo.
Throughout the time he was on the pitch, Fernandes discovered his teammates with 31 of the 41 passes he tried. Three of those had been key passes.
He related with simply one of many six crosses he aimed and one of many two lengthy balls he pinged. Fernandes accomplished one of many two dribbles he launched into.
The 30-year-old playmaker was a monster defensively, successful seven of the eight floor duels he delved into.
He additionally made one clearance and put in three tackles.
(Stats obtained from Sofascore)
Spain will face both Spain or France in Sunday’s remaining. Spain and France meet on Thursday at MHPArena in Germany.
Featured picture Alex Grimm by way of Getty Photographs
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