11.06.2014 at 15:00 Met Life Stadium New Jersey
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Attendance: 46063 |
Portugal |
5 - 1
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Republic of Ireland |
Referee: Baldomero Toledo (USA) |
Friendly-match |
Hugo Almeida 2 Mins Richard Keogh (o.g),20 mins, Hugo Almeida 37 mins, Vieirinha 52 Mins, Fábio Coentrão 83 mins |
James Mc Clean (77)
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11th Jun 2014
Portugal 5-1 Republic of Ireland Statto: James Mc Clean's first goal for Ireland
A nervous start saw Ireland go a goal down just two minutes after kick off when Stephen Ward lost possession in midfield. Valera broke down the wing to dispatch a cross over Richard Keogh and straight to the head of an unmarked Hugo Almeida who scored from close range.
Despite the initial shock to the system, Ireland settled in the period that followed with Wes Hoolahan helping to restore calm thanks to some excellent distribution that allowed both Aiden McGeady and shortly afterwards James McClean to send efforts towards goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo who was playing his first match since the Champions League final was awarded a free kick thirty yards out and shot an effort that was saved only by the post. Calamity struck on 20 minutes when Ireland conceded a second after Richard Keogh put his foot on the end of a Coentrao cross that sailed over Forde and into the Irish net for an own goal. Almeida scored again before half time, picking up Forde’s spilled save from a Ronaldo shot to make it 3-0.
Despite the scoreline Ireland did rally in the second half. Early on, James McClean was put through thanks to a quick Hoolahan free quick. He stepped inside to get his first ever goal for Ireland with a well struck left foot but it provided only temporary respite from Portugal’s attacking flair.
Martin O’Neill chose change things around for the last half hour with Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Stephen Quinn and Anthony Pilkington coming in. Pilkington nearly got on the end of an Aiden McGeady cross in the 70th minute but it was little relief from a dominant Portugal side.
Doyle and Cox were drafted in after 75 minutes with Martin O’Neill deterimined to throw caution to the wind but Ireland were left exposed in the 77th minute when Nani coolly took down a long ball and swept it across goal to find an unmarked Vieirinha whose headed effort was parried away by Forde. Vieirinha made no mistake with the rebound to add to Ireland’s anguish which was compounded shortly afterwards when Coentrao was put through by Nani to close the match out at 5-1.
Ireland: Forde, Kelly (Doyle 76), Keogh, Pearce, Ward (Quinn 67); Hendrick, Meyler; McGeady (Cox 76), Hoolahan (Keane 63), McClean (Pilkington 67); Walters (Long 63).
Portugal: Patricio, Amorim (Veloso 81), Costa, Neto (Pepe 65), Coentrao; Carvalho, Meireles (A Almeida 65), Moutinho; Varela (Vierinha 72), H Almeida (Postiga 65), Ronaldo (Nani 65).
Referee: Baldomero Toledo (USA) |
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