The under-19 national team (2-1) defeated its counterpart Malta, the host of the European Championship, in the last round of Group A of the competition, ensuring complete victories at this stage. However, the selector was not satisfied.
Portugal advance to the semi-finals at the top of the group, to find out the next opponent on Monday. Spain (6 points), Norway (4) and Iceland (1) are still discussing qualification in Group Two.
Already with qualification and top of the rankings secured, Joaquim Milheiro made nine changes to eleven teams, retaining only Gabriel Brass and Gonzalo Esteves in defence.
Malta, with no chance of qualification, looked for an intense game, with constant pressure on the ball carrier and a high level of aggressiveness. However, with the enormous technical added value, Portugal managed to get through the difficulties with ease.
The advantage reached in the eighth minute of the match. Herculano Nabian recovered the ball in the offensive zone, played Joao Vasconcelos and sent Miguel Valle into the middle lane. Young Forward of Sp. Braga pushed the opposition out of the way and shot low, on the edge of the area, scoring his first goal in the Under-19 Euro Championship.
And the local team, led by the Portuguese Jose Mendes, tried to respond even in the first stage, while the legs did not fail, without creating real opportunities for danger. On the other side of the field, Portugal threatened to score 2-0 without picking up the pace too much.
Joachim Milheiro was changing units in the supplementary phase to avoid physical overload. However, without anything foreshadowing, Malta came to a draw in a massive affliction for Diogo Pinto. Long ball, the goalkeeper hesitated on the way out, Basil Touma hit the ball and the mighty Reading forward volleyed into the back-netting (71m). It was the Maltese’s first ever goal in a UEFA European Under-19 Championship final.
Faced with a completely unexpected scenario and the apparent annoyance of the Portuguese coach, Portugal immediately took the lead and reached 2-1 with relative ease. Carlos Borges crosses from the left, Miguel Valle’s shot against the opposition and Joao Vasconcelos – also from Sept. Braga – Appeared in the empty tie of Divine Perversion (AD 72).
Problem solved in three minutes, totally foolproof after a wince. However, nothing returned the smile on Joaquim Milheiro’s face.
The Portuguese national team is in first place in Group A and Italy is in second place. On Monday, Spain, Norway and Iceland will be looking to qualify in Group Two.
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