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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes performed a key position once more, this time for Portugal as they edged a pulsating Sunday night encounter with Denmark to succeed in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals.
Fernandes’ teammate, Patrick Dorgu, gifted Portugal an early penalty after he was judged to have introduced down Cristiano Ronaldo inside the realm. Nonetheless, Ronaldo was thwarted from the spot-kick by Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who obtained down low to his left.
Undeterred by the setback, Portugal saved pushing and ultimately obtained their lead as Fulham’s Joachim Andersen headed into the again of his personal from a Fernandes corner-kick supply.
Ronaldo had a objective disallowed for offside on the stroke of half-time earlier than Rasmus Kristensen rose the very best on the back-post to make it 1-1 on the evening and restore Denmark’s combination benefit. Ronaldo made amends within the 72nd minute, reacting rapidly to show in a robust Bruno Fernandes shot that had struck the submit from a decent angle.
Nonetheless, Denmark refused to be subdued and appeared heading in the right direction to advance in regular time when Christian Eriksen slotted house Dorgu’s low cross. Francisco Trincao’s introduction modified the sport for the Selecao. The Sporting CP winger beat Schmeichel with a robust shot from exterior the field within the 86th minute earlier than netting his second of the sport early within the first half of additional time. Paris Saint Germain’s Goncalo Ramos sealed the win with a fifth in a while.
Fernandes performed the complete 120 minutes of the assembly and through this era, had a mammoth 112 touches of the ball and accomplished 77% of his passes. 4 of his passes have been key passes.
He was unfortunate in his crossing nonetheless, as none of his six makes an attempt was met by a teammate. He additionally managed to attach with simply two of the seven lengthy balls he pinged.
United’s quantity eight saved the Danish defence busy as he had two photographs on course, one shot off it and one shot that was blocked. He additionally missed one large probability within the match.
The 30-year-old contested 13 floor duels, popping out on high 5 occasions. He didn’t win the one aerial problem he vied for. Fernandes received three tackles and made one interception as he additionally helped out defensively.
Fernandes supplied two assists for Portugal—delivering the nook that led to Andersen’s personal objective and hanging the highly effective shot that Schmeichel spilled, permitting Ronaldo to attain. Whereas they is probably not categorized as typical assists by statisticians, their significance was plain.
The United skipper was on the identical aspect as United compatriot Diogo Dalot, who was afforded 81 minutes earlier than being changed by a extra attacking-minded participant in Trincao.
Dalot was robust defensively, placing in quite a few robust challenges that obtained the house crowd on their toes.
The total-back made one clearance, one interception and three tackles. He did make one error which led to a shot by the opposition however not a objective, a lot to the delight of his teammates.
Dalot had 48 touches within the recreation and accomplished 26 of his 30 go makes an attempt. Nonetheless, he was much less concerned in attacking play than ordinary, largely because of the risk posed by Dorgu.
(Stats obtained from Sofascore)
Portugal will now tackle Germany within the semi-final firstly of June. In the meantime, for Fernandes and Dalot, their rapid consideration shifts to United and the upcoming conflict with Nottingham Forest on the Metropolis Floor on April 1.
Featured picture Carlos Rodrigues by way of Getty Photos
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