Diogo Dalot helped Portugal clinch the Nations League by scoring his first two foreign goals in a 4-0 thrashing of the Czech Republic on Saturday.
Spain lost its lead in Group A2 after 2-1 to Switzerland against disappointed enthusiasts in Zaragoza.
Portugal overcame Spain through two problems before the hosts meet in Braga on Tuesday in a winning take-off clash to see who qualifies for the quarterfinals of the tournament next June.
While his Portugal was filming in Prague, Cristiano Ronaldo lived a restless night, first receiving a strong blow to the face that made him bleed from the nose and required a small bandage. He also committed the most sensitive goalscorer of all time in foreign football with 117 goals. A penalty that, luckily for him, the Czechs failed to convert with the 2-0 on the scoreboard.
Dalot put Portugal ahead in the minute when the right-back scored on Rafael Leão’s pass.
Bruno Fernandes doubled the lead in first-half added time against Ronaldo by blaming a hand in his own zone. But Patrik Schick spoiled the penalty by sending it over the crossbar.
Dalot put the clear in the 52 with a low shot to the corner.
Ronaldo finished off by lending a hand to Diogo Jota to get a fourth goal in the 82nd.
FLOPS SPAIN
Luis Enrique, who guided Spain last year to the semi-finals of the European Championship and the Nations League final, is known for making unpopular decisions and sticking to them.
And, once again, he surprised Marco Asensio, relegated to the position of substitute in the Real Madrid club, in false nine leaving on the bench the natural forwards Álvaro Morata and the debutant Borja Iglesias.
Spain did not worry the Swiss in attack and their defense conceded two goals on corner kicks with Swiss defender Manuel Akanji.
Akanji struck with a very good header in the 21st when he passed his marker and chased the ball from the turf to the most sensitive corner of the net.
Asensio nevertheless controlled to separate the Swiss defense in the 55th when he dribbled 4 players before letting Jordi Alba shoot the equalizer.
But Switzerland hit back 3 minutes later when Akanji failed to check at the first post to use a touch to deflect a corner into the penalty spot where Breel Embolo drove over the line.
“They said it was easy to beat Switzerland and we saw that’s not true at all,” Luis Enrique said. In the middle moment we showed more precision, but just when we scored, we conceded the occasional corner goal. Now we have to go to Portugal and win.
Iglesias and Nico Williams, 20, made their debut for Spain as substitutes. Nico’s older brother and teammate Iñaki Williams made his debut for Ghana on Friday after switching to Spain.
Switzerland hosts the Czech Republic in St. Gallen on Tuesday who will avoid relegation. Switzerland has two more problems than the Czechs in last place.
Portugal, Spain and Switzerland will participate in the World Cup in November.
LEAGUE B
Israel moved up from Group B2 after beating Albania 2-1 thanks to a goal from Tai Baribo in added time.
Everything is tied between Serbia and Norway at the most sensible of Group B4 before their fit in Olso to see who joins League A.
Erling Haaland scored for Norway, but Slovenia fought back to win 2-1 at home, while Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a hat-trick to lead Sweden to a 4-1 win over Sweden in Belgrade.
Scotland remained top of Group B1 after beating Ireland 2-1 in Glasgow. Ukraine are two points behind after beating Armenia 5-0 before facing the Scots in Krakow.
LEAGUE C
Greece moved up from Group C2 despite losing to Cyprus 1-0 thanks to Northern Ireland’s 2-1 win over Kosovo.
AMICABLE
Senegal ready for the World Cup by beating Bolivia 2-0 in a friendly in Orleans, France.
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