Football: Portugal turns on classy display

Colombian goalkeeper Alvaro Montero dives but fails to save a free kick taken by Portugal's Nuno...
Colombian goalkeeper Alvaro Montero dives but fails to save a free kick taken by Portugal's Nuno Santos during a Fifa Under 20 World Cup match at Otago Stadium on Saturday.
Andres Tello, of Colombia, slide tackles Ivo, of Portugal. Photos by Stephen Jaquiery.
Andres Tello, of Colombia, slide tackles Ivo, of Portugal. Photos by Stephen Jaquiery.

Portugal and Andre Silva - keep an eye on both as the Fifa Under 20 World Cup gets to the business stage.

The country and its brightest young star lit up Otago Stadium with a dazzling display of pace and trickery on Saturday.

Portugal confirmed top spot in Group C with a third straight win, and Silva confirmed his status as one of world football's most exciting young players.

He and some of his team mates just looked, well, tasty from the opening whistle.

Silva's speed and quick feet complemented the sizzling offensive skills of Nuno Santos, while Chico Ramos and Raphael Guzzo buzzed about with lots of verve.

But Portugal, which surely will go far in this tournament, is not just about attacking brilliance and guile.

At the back is the captain, Joao Nunes, a graceful and balanced defender, a young Rio Ferdinand who appears to be the total package.

Nunes made one play, a diving block on a Colombian attacker, that created almost as much excitement as the four goals in the game.

Ah, yes, the goals.

The first came after just three minutes and added to Dunedin's reputation - earned in less than a week - as the home of dazzling free kicks.

Santos blasted a rocket from just outside the box. Colombian goalkeeper Alvaro Montero was perfectly positioned but was helpless to stop the shot.

The rest of the first half was relatively even. Portugal looked potent on attack, but Colombia ruled the centre and embraced the physical exchanges.

The game was settled in a 10 minute period in the second half that led to two goals for Silva, taking his tally to four in three games.

He converted a penalty after Montero had clumsily fouled Silva and then looped in a header following some wonderful build up play.

Colombia fought back nicely with a well worked goal to bustling striker Santos Borre, and Alexis Zapata was excellent in central midfield, but it was Portugal's day.

''We played a quality game,'' Portuguese coach Helio Sousa said.

''When we had the ball, we knew what we had to do.''


Portugal v Colombia
The scores

Portugal 3
Nuno Santos 3, Andre Silva 55 pen, 67

Colombia 1
Santos Borre 74

Halftime: Portugal 1-0
Crowd: 6950

In summary
Portugal turned on the class and skill and won a third straight pool game with some ease.

Star player
Andre Silva plays for Porto and has reportedly been on the radar of both Chelsea and Arsenal. Now we know why. The dynamic striker led the Portuguese front line and scored twice.


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