Soccer-Portugal breeze past Sweden 5-2 in Euros warm up

Soccer-Portugal breeze past Sweden 5-2 in Euros warm up

The Star Online - Sport·2024-03-22 08:01

(Reuters) -Portugal swept past Sweden 5-2 in a friendly on Thursday as manager Roberto Martinez rested Cristiano Ronaldo and several other key players in the build-up to the European Championship in Germany, which starts in June.

"It was a very important test for us. We worked on defensive concepts, I really liked the new links, the spirit and the commitment was very good. But there are other concepts that we need to work on and improve," Martinez told Portuguese television RTP.

Portugal, who stormed into the Euro 2024 finals by winning all 10 of their qualifiers, opened up a three-goal lead in the first half thanks to strikes by Rafael Leao, Matheus Nunes and Bruno Fernandes.

Leao opened the scoring in the 24th minute, firing a brilliant strike into the top corner from a rebound after Bernardo Silva burst into the box and unleashed a curling shot off the post.

In the 33rd minute, Manchester City midfielder Nunes sliced through the Swedish defence before darting a low strike just inside the right post to extend the locals' lead at Guimaraes, before Fernandes tapped in a close-range effort from a Nelson Semedo cross in the last play of the half.

Substitute Bruma extended their lead with a first-touch effort in the 57th minute but Viktor Gyokeres hit back for Sweden from close range a minute later.

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