Scotland 1-3 Portugal: match report: international friendly
The European Champions were too strong for Scotland who slumped to goals from Costa, Eder and Bruma. Naismith got a consolation goal right at the end.
Scotland vs Portugal: match report:
It was only a friendly - with several first choice players missing - so how much significance will either Scotland or Portugal give to this result? For the hosts it was definitely an improvement on Thursday's hugely disappointing loss in Israel; for Portugal, a continuation of their winning run, and with ten changes from the Poland game.
Alex McLeish will have been happy with the early stages, Scotland dominating the reigning European Champions, but it was Portugal who grew into the game and were starting to create more clear-cut chances as the half wore on. On the stroke of half-time Wolves' Helder Costa was quick to get in front of fellow Premier League player Andy Robertson to tap home. A nice start to his international career.
The second 45 offered little to write home about but an Eder header from a nicely delivered Renato Sanchez free-kick killed the game as a contest with 15 minutes to play and Bruma added a tasty third shortly after. The final play of the match allowed Steven Naismith to give the few fans that remained in Hampden Park something to cheer on what will be an easily forgettable night.
Scotland vs Portugal live online: latest updates
Scotland vs Portugal live online: match preview
Scotland host European Champions Portugal at Hampden Park with Alex McLeish’s side in need of a positive performance after being beaten 2-1 by Israel in the Nations League last time out. Promotion from League C is still in McLeish’s grasp with Scotland sitting top of their group, but only on goal difference, but that defeat to Israel laid bare the issues facing the former Aberdeen defender, with Scotland throwing away their 1-0 lead.
Portugal arrive in Glasgow in good shape having won both of their Nations League games to date against Italy and Poland despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. In Sevilla striker André Silva, Fernando Santos appears to have found the final piece of a jigsaw that has for one reason or another eluded Portugal for what seems like an eternity: a genuine goal-scoring striker. Santos’ side face Italy and Poland again next month as they seek to nail down a place in the Nations League Finals and the Portugal boss will use Sunday’s game to run the rule over some of his fringe players.
Scotland
McLeish may have to do without Manchester United midfielder Tommy McTominay, who missed out against Israel with a knock, and will probably be without Charlie Mulgrew, who scored in the defeat against Israel.
Scotland’s current squad do not score freely and McLeish admitted before the game that he attempting to forge a side that can win games consistently. “We’re not yet at that level. Our objective is to build the foundations to achieve that.”
With just 11 goals across his entire squad – eight of those from veteran Hearts forward Steven Naismith, this game may be more of an experiment in containment for the home side, who will be happy enough to keep a clean sheet against the European champions.
Portugal
Santos is expected to make a raft of changes for the game, bringing in Cédric Soares, Luís Neto and Kévin Rodrigues to accompany Ruben Dias at the back. Bernardo Silva, Pepe and Rui Patricio are all unavailable and André Silva will be rested.
Renato Sanches and Bruno Fernandes are expected to start in midfield after coming off the bench against Poland with the form of the resurgent Bayern Munich midfielder a chief point of interest for Santos. Wolves midfielder Rubén Neves is one of few who will probably retain their place from the Poland game.
Bruma and the uncapped Hélder Costa will form an untested front line alongside Éder and that may be a boost to Scotland’s chances of getting something from the game, although Portugal’s bench in Hampden Park will be a considerable weapon for Santos to unleash later on.