<p>In a pre-European Championship friendly this summer, Portugal, coached by Roberto Martinez, defeated Sweden 5-2 in the absence of star attacker Cristiano Ronaldo.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-537864″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/theindiaprint.com-portugal-thrashes-sweden-5-2-in-the-absence-of-ronaldo-portugal-beat-sweden-5-2-20.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com portugal thrashes sweden 5 2 in the absence of ronaldo portugal beat sweden 5 2 20″ width=”819″ height=”614″ title=”Portugal thrashes Sweden 5-2 in the absence of Ronaldo 3″></p>
<p>Martinez rested the 39-year-old striker, a former star for Real Madrid and Manchester United, but his squad still won handily in Guimaraes.</p>
<p>In the first half, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, and Matheus Nunes all scored goals for the dominant hosts.</p>
<p>After the interval, Bruma and Goncalo Ramos increased Portugal’s lead, but Gustaf Nilsson and Viktor Gyokeres of Sweden scored on the opposite end.</p>
<p>“I was really impressed with the dedication and positive attitude,” Martinez, who has led the team to 11 victories in 11 games, said.</p>
<p>The Spanish coach, nevertheless, was not pleased with his team’s two concessions.</p>
<p>“Though it’s friendly, I didn’t like how we gave up two goals,” he said.</p>
<p>In their first game under new manager Jon Dahl Tomasson, Sweden, which was eliminated from the Euro 2024 competition, was completely inept. Tomasson, a former Denmark international, was hired in February and became the nation’s first foreign-born coach.</p>
<p>Portugal, the winners of Euro 2016, have shown why they are once again considered favorites.</p>
<p>After 24 minutes, Bernardo Silva struck the post before AC Milan winger Leao blasted the first goal into the top corner.</p>
<p>Shortly after, Nunes, a midfielder for Manchester City, scored a fantastic second goal by cutting through the defenders and slotting it in at the near post.</p>
<p>The third goal was set up by Nelson Semedo, who placed the ball on a plate for Bruno Fernandes to score his 20th goal for his country from close range.</p>
<p>The fourth goal was provided by the Manchester United playmaker, who set up Bruma for a simple finish.</p>
<p>Gyokeres, the leading scorer for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, gave Sweden a swift response, but Goncalo Ramos was quick to strike at the opposite end, demonstrating Portugal’s razor-sharp counterattacking skills.</p>
<p>In his home stadium, Jota Silva, making his debut, had a chance to score a sixth goal, but Sweden goalie Robin Olsen stopped him at close range.</p>
<p>In stoppage time, Sweden equalized the score when towering attacker Nilsson headed home a cross from Dejan Kulusevski.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Portugal, who have won all ten of their Euro 2024 qualifying matches, will play Slovenia in another friendly.</p>
<p>“I’ll do everything to make it onto the final roster,” impressive Wolves defender Semedo said.</p>
<p>“We had a tremendous game, scoring five goals, but we still need to work on letting in two.</p>
<p>“We need to control the ball and the game better; we need to get better at control.”</p>
Portugal thrashes Sweden 5-2 in the absence of Ronaldo
