Portugal at force nine without CR7

Portugal-Luxembourg 9-0

Spectacular goal-fest on the packed evening of Euro2024 qualifying matches, with a stunning performance by Portugal. The Martinez-led team, which is dominating Group J, swept 9-0 against Luxembourg despite CR7's absence.

The authors of the doubles were Gonçalo Ramos, Diogo Jota and Gonçalo Inacio. Other successes came from Wales, Iceland and Slovakia. However, the real star è was Croatia, which defeated Armenia 1-0 and joined Turkey in first place in Group D.

In Group D, the rest turn of Turkey, the group’s leader, allowed Croatia to snag the top spot with ten points. The team of Perisic and co. triumphed with a convincing 1-0 win over Armenia in Yerevan, in a match that offered numerous chances, especially for the guests. Croatia started strongly and scored the winning goal on 13', after a scrum in the box that led to Kramaric’s winning touch from close range. Initially, the Hoffenheim striker's goal had been disallowed for offside caused by a clumsy contact by Gvardiol, but a careful VAR check showed that the center forward was in line with Dashyan. This goal allowed Croatia to control possession of the ball and the pace of the game, coming close to doubling the score with an Ivanusec's chance. In the second half, Norberto Briasco tested the Croatian defense, touching the equalizer on 77'. However, the second half è was a monologue of Croatia with Perisic and teammates almost scoring the second goal three times. Čančarević è was decisive in avoiding a heavier deficit, but Armenia remains third in the group with 7 points, three away from the top.