By Goal.com News on Wednesday, 09 June 2021
Category: Goal.com News

LIVE: Portugal vs Israel

34' OVER! Frustration gets the better of Fernandes as he lines up a drive from distance. His effort travels comfortably over the bar.

33' Dias has to be alert at the back for the home side to guide a dangerous cross from Menachem away from the lurking presence of Zahavi in the box.

32' Ronaldo takes a neat touch in the final third and breaks into the box. Dgani gets back to halt his run and with the aid of Dasa bundles the forward off the ball.

31' Israel enjoy a rare foray forward down the left flank, but Menachem sees his cross towards Zahavi repelled by Pepe at the near post.

28' Ronaldo leaps in the box to attack a cross from Jota from the left flank, but his effort loops harmlessly wide of the right post.

27' The Selecao are playing with an excellent tempo, but are perhaps just being too frenetic with their approach in the final third. Santos will be preaching for composure from his team.

25' Bernardo Silva probes on the right flank before sending an offload towards Carvalho. However, he takes the loose first touch and loses possession on the edge of the Israel box.

23' BLOCK! Ronaldo tries to create room for a strike on his left foot from the edge of the box after latching on to a flick from Jota. He goes for a drive at goal, but sees his effort blocked by Arad on the slide.

21' Cancelo angles a cross into the box for Ronaldo, but the forward is adjudged to have fouled Marciano as the keeper comes to claim the ball.

19' Fernandes twists and turns on the edge of the box and threads a pass through towards Ronaldo and Jota. However, both players get in the way of each other and the ball travels into the grasp of Marciano.

18' Portugal are dominating the contest, but are still lacking the cutting edge in front of goal to take the lead. 

16' SAVE AND WIDE! Marciano is on point to deny Fernandes before Neves drills a 20-yard effort wide. The Manchester United man latches on to a cross from Cancelo from the right flank and connects with an effort on the stretch. Marciano tips his attempt away from goal before the Selecao recycle posssession. Jota tees up Neves to strike from the edge of the box, only to crash his shot wide of the left post.

15' CHANCE! Jota spurns another glorious opening. Cancelo and Bernardo Silva combine down the right flank to allow the former to deliver a perfect cross into the box. Jota gets ahead of his marker in the middle, but can only steer his header over the bar.

12' Santos should be pleased by his side's energetic start to the contest. They're just lacking the clinical touch in the final third to break the deadlock.

10' OVER! Jota blazes a strike from close range over the bar. Menachem loses possession on the left flank to Bernardo Silva, who threads the needle to release Jota in space. The Liverpool man takes a touch before drilling a strike at goal, only to lift his effort over the bar.

8' Ronaldo pursues a long ball over the top down the right flank, but he pulls back Tibi in his bid to earn possession and gives away a free-kick.

6' Fernandes has space on the right flank and launches a cross into the box on his left foot that sails away from Jota and out for a goal-kick.

4' Portugal have made a bright start to the game and are putting the visitors under early pressure.

2' Carvalho releases Ronaldo behind the Israel defence with a precise ball over the top. The forward turns and shoots on his left foot, only to see his effort strike the post. It's all moot anyway as Ronaldo was offside when he latched on to the long pass.

1' SAVE! Ronaldo is played into space down the left flank by Jota and he surges into the inside channel. The Juventus man lines up a strike on his right foot that he places straight at Marciano.

1' We're under way in this friendly clash.

The players are out on the field, so we should be underway shortly.

Israel have made three changes to their side from their win over Montenegro last time out. Marciano replaces Nitzan between the posts, while Menachem and Kinda are handed starts in the midfield and final third respectively.

Portugal are without Anthony Lopes, Raphael Guerreiro, Jose Fonte and Joao Felix this evening. Santos has made eight changes to his side from the goalless draw. Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Neves, Carvalho, Dias, Cancelo and Nuno Mendes all come into the fold, while Rui Silva gets the nod ahead of Patricio between the sticks.

ISRAEL SUBS: Itamar Nitzan, Matan Baltaksa, Or Blorian, Aviel Zargari, Liel Abada, Yonas Malede, Ori Dahan, Mohammad Abu Fani, Osama Khalaila, Joel Abu Hanna, Ofir Davidzada, Boris Kleyman.

ISRAEL (4-3-3): Ofir Marciano; Eli Dasa, Eytan Tibi, Orel Dgani, Ofri Arad; Bibras Natcho, Neta Lavi, Sun Menachem; Gadi Kinda, Manor Solomon, Eran Zahavi.

PORTUGAL SUBS: Rui Patricio, Nelson Semedo, Joao Moutinho, Andre Silva, Rafa, Renato Sanches, Goncalo Guedes, Pote, Sergio Oliveira, Joao Paulinha.

PORTUGAL (4-3-3): Rui Silva; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Pepe, Nuno Mendes; Ruben Neves, William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes; Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva.

Israel failed to qualify for the Euros, but will still provide a tough test for Santos' side. They are unbeaten in their last three matches, holding Scotland to a 1-1 draw and beating Moldova 4-1 in their last two World Cup qualifying matches. Willibald Ruttensteiner's men crushed Montenegro in their last outing and will be out for a scalp of the reigning European champions.

Portugal are finalising their preparations for the defence of their European Championship crown. Fernando Santos has one final game to test his players ahead of their opener against Hungary next Tuesday. The Selecao drew 0-0 against Spain in their last outing, but they will be targeting a victory to take momentum into the tournament, especially for their key men in the final third.

Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the friendly clash between Portugal and Israel at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

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