Portugal Come from Behind to Defeat Luxembourg

On Tuesday 30 March 2021, Luxembourg's Red Lions let a 1-0 lead slip to fall to a 1-3 home defeat to Portugal at the Stade Josy Barthel in Luxembourg-ville.

In normal circumstances, tickets for this match, Luxembourg at home to Portugal, would be hard to come by such is the high number of Portuguese living in the Grand Duchy; however, during the COVID-19 pandemic, these are exceptional times.

Luxembourg started their FIFA World Cup European Group A qualifying campaign with a stunning 1-0 away win against the republic of Ireland on Saturday evening; yesterday evening, Luxembourg threatened to pull off another shock when Saturday's goal-scoring hero, Gerson Rodrigues, put the home side ahead on the half-hour with a glancing header. And this was after Daniel Sinani had earlier had a great opportunity to strike the winning goal.

However, the goal spurred the visitors into action and they twice came close before Diogo Jota headed the equaliser in added time at the end of the first half.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who was denied a goal in Portugal's 2-2 draw against Serbia on Saturday despite the ball clearly crossing the line, scored his first goal of the campaign when he shot into the far bottom corner after combining with Joao Cancelo, but then missed a golden opportunity later in the match following a terrible Luxembourg backpass, but he shot straight at Anthony Moris who saved with his feet.

Portugal's third goal came from substitute Joao Palhinha in the 80th minute when he headed home a Pedro Neto corner, his first goal for his country.

In the 87th minute, Luxembourg's Maxime Chanot was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Portugal now leads Group A with seven points after three games, level with Serbia, who beat Azerbaijan 2-1, while Luxembourg are third with three points.