More European qualifiers took place on Monday. Here is what went down.
Fernandes and Jota shine in CR7’s absence
Gonçalo Inácio scored his first international goal after heading home Bruno Fernandes’ trivela cross and the floodgates opened immediately after.
Portugal’s Ronaldo replacement Gonçalo Ramos made things 2-0, before the PSG star secured a brace 16 minutes later as his individual skill dizzied the Luxembourg defenders.
Meanwhile, Fernandes teed up Inácio once again before securing a hat-trick of assists when Diogo Jota chipped home his first goal of the qualifiers.
Liverpool’s main man then earned an assist of his own as Ricardo Horta blasted home for 6-0 before Jota became the third player to record a brace.
To cap off a miserable night for the visitors, Fernandes scored the goal he rightfully deserved and Luxembourg’s coach headed straight down the tunnel before full-time.
He eventually returned, only to watch JoĂŁo FĂ©lix put a long-range stunner past goalkeeper Anthony Moris for a ninth time.
The victory is Portugal’s biggest-ever win on the international stage (nine goals from 10 shots on target). They sit top of Group J while Luxembourg are third.
Wales dig deep to edge past Latvia
The visitors managed to take control of the pitch in the first half but needed a bit of luck to break the deadlock.
A sloppy challenge by Kaspars Dubra on Harry Wilson drew a penalty, which captain Aaron Ramsey rolled home easily. It was his first goal for his country since November 2021.
In the second half, Wales continued their hunt for another, but Wilson, new Tottenham star Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams all fell short.
Fortunately for Latvia, they avoided a potentially worse situation when Janis Ikaunieks’ potential red card upgrade was dismissed.
A chance to ease the pressure arrived in the final 10 minutes, yet neither Johnson nor Williams could find the target before David Brooks’ volley hit the pitch.
However, the Bournemouth ace made up for his missed effort with a chipped shot in the dying moments to win the match 2-0.
It was Wales’ second win in their last 11 games and they sit fourth in a very tight Group D only three points off the top spot.
Latvia sit fifth.
