Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes stole his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo’s thunder in Portugal’s final pre-Euro friendly. The midfiedler scored twice as the reigning Euro champions beat Israel 4-0.
The reigning European champions have been drawn into the group of death but sent out a warning to their opponents by a flawless showing against Israel. Fernando Santos’ men started the match positively with Ronaldo hitting a shot on target within the opening thirty seconds. Liverpool’s Diogo Jota also went close during the early stages as he sliced a fierce shot just off target. Fernandes then tested Ofir Marciano with a volley, but the Israel goalkeeper made a good save to deny him a goal.
The Manchester United attacker did eventually get the better of Marciano. He scored his team’s first goal in the 42nd minute, firing the ball in the bottom corner from a perfect cross by Joao Cancelo.
Fernandes turned provider two minutes later, as he fed Ronaldo on the edge of the box before the Portugal captain carried the ball inside and slammed a shot through the legs of Marciano. As a result of the quick-fire double, the Selecao went into the half-time break two goals to the good.
Eran Zahavi went close on a couple of occasions for Israel, but it was Portugal who scored the next goal of the match. Right-back Cancelo got on the scoresheet with a stunning strike; he dummied a defender before turning inside onto his weak right foot and curled the ball spectacularly past the goalkeeper. Fernandes added the cherry on top of the cake in stoppage time as he found the top left corner from just outside the box. The attacking midfielder slammed the ball into the net from a still position.
Portugal begin their Euro 2020 campaign on June 15 against Hungary. They will subsequently face Germany (June 19) and France (June 23) in the group stage.
