Portugal overcome late scare to defeat Finland 4-2 in friendly

Bruno Fernandes, a Manchester United midfielder, scored twice off the bench to help Portugal start their Euro 2024 preparations with a 4-2 victory over non-qualifiers Finland in Lisbon on Tuesday.

Portugal were without captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who is resting before reporting for duty on Friday ahead of his sixth European Championship, so manager Roberto Martinez fielded a drastically altered squad that dominated from the start.

Defender Ruben Dias gave the hosts the lead in the 17th minute with a stooping header from a corner, and Diogo Jota extended their lead from the penalty spot after Francisco Conceicao was fouled inside the area in stoppage time before halftime.

Fernandes, one of five halftime substitutions, scored Portugal's third goal with a fine curling shot into the upper corner from the edge of the box in the 55th minute.

Finland substitute Teemu Pukki took advantage of Portugal's complacent defence to score twice in five minutes, bringing his team back into the game.

However, Fernandes took command and sealed the victory with a close-range strike in the 84th minute.

Portugal's final warm-up games will be against Croatia on Saturday and Ireland next week, before they begin their Euros campaign on June 18 against Czech Republic in Group F. They will also face Turkey and Georgia.

SportsLigue