A low-key friendly ended in a 1-1 draw between Portugal and Chile at the Estadio Magalhaes Pessoa, in Leiria last night.
A low-key friendly ended in a 1-1 draw between Portugal and Chile at the Estadio Magalhaes Pessoa, in Leiria last night.
There was plenty of technical ability on show, especially from Chile’s Alexis Sanchez, who showed exactly why he has some of the world’s biggest clubs chasing him, and Manchester United winger Nani. The two players brought occasional flashes of outstanding skill to an otherwise lethargic game.
Portugal were first to threaten through Joao Moutinho, whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected narrowly over the bar. From the resulting corner Silvestre Varela took advantage of a cross flicked on by a Chile defender to head into the net at the far post.
Carlos Martins shot weakly at goal in the 28th minute but chances were few and far between. Chile seemed certain to score in the 38th minute as Beasejour latched onto the ball close to Rui Patricio’s net after a goalmouth scramble, but was crowded out as he was about to pull the trigger and his effort was deflected wide.
It would be a temporary reprieve for the home team however. Shortly before the break Chile won a free-kick 30 yards from goal and Sporting midfielder Matias Fernandez stepped up to hit a rocket of a shot that arrowed into the net past the despairing dive of club team-mate Rui Patricio.
The second half was largely a forgettable affair, with the usual plethora of substitutions further disrupting the listless pace of the game. Save a Rolando header that went just past the post, there was little action of note to excite the crowd of 10,000 fans.
There was plenty of technical ability on show, especially from Chile’s Alexis Sanchez, who showed exactly why he has some of the world’s biggest clubs chasing him, and Manchester United winger Nani. The two players brought occasional flashes of outstanding skill to an otherwise lethargic game.
Portugal were first to threaten through Joao Moutinho, whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected narrowly over the bar. From the resulting corner Silvestre Varela took advantage of a cross flicked on by a Chile defender to head into the net at the far post.
Carlos Martins shot weakly at goal in the 28th minute but chances were few and far between. Chile seemed certain to score in the 38th minute as Beasejour latched onto the ball close to Rui Patricio’s net after a goalmouth scramble, but was crowded out as he was about to pull the trigger and his effort was deflected wide.
It would be a temporary reprieve for the home team however. Shortly before the break Chile won a free-kick 30 yards from goal and Sporting midfielder Matias Fernandez stepped up to hit a rocket of a shot that arrowed into the net past the despairing dive of club team-mate Rui Patricio.
The second half was largely a forgettable affair, with the usual plethora of substitutions further disrupting the listless pace of the game. Save a Rolando header that went just past the post, there was little action of note to excite the crowd of 10,000 fans.
