Sweden faced a Portuguese squad without Cristiano Ronaldo, but Fernando Santos chose Diogo Jota to replace of the number 7. Without the usual executioner, the substitute took over the role. Bernardo Silva scored 1, Diogo Jota scored two and Portugal remains in first place in the Group 3 of the Nations League.
Portugal entered the Alvalade XXI without the leader and captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Sweden came in knowing that their usual nightmare wouldn’t go to the game. For Ronaldo’s place, Fernando Santos chose the now Liverpool player Diogo Jota. In fact, Portugal’s 11 had only two changes, the other being Cancelo’s entry as right back, which had been occupied by Nelson Semedo in the previous game.
The Portuguese dominance was felt from the opening whistle and there were several clear chances of goal before Bernardo Silva opened the scoring in the 21st minute. A made in England goal, with Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes discovering Liverpool’s Diogo Jota, who assisted for Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva goal.
Before the break, it was Cancelo’s turn to pass over the Swedish defence, Diogo Jota dominated and calmly shot to where the Sweden goalkeeper could not reach. 2-0 and the Portuguese team went to the dressing room with a comfortable advantage.
In the second half the home team kept in control, they had more occasions to score and, again, Diogo Jota scoring. At 72, he drove from the left, pulled several opponents out of the way, and shot to score the third.
By the end, the home team could have scored the fourth goal, but ended up a three goal advantage.
The first place of the group still belongs to Portugal, but France also won and has the same points.
