Chapter 747: Battle for First Place
After Manchester United's comeback victory against Newcastle, which extended their Premier League winning streak to eight matches, the international break began. Bruno Fernandes returned to the Portuguese national team to continue their UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
On the evening of October 11, Portugal hosted Luxembourg at home.
A Match Against a Minnow
In Bruno's view, Luxembourg was a tiny country, measuring less than 2,600 square kilometers—comparable to a small county in his native Portugal. With a population of just over 600,000, Luxembourg's scale was similarly modest. Yet despite its size, Luxembourg was a highly developed capitalist nation, consistently ranking among the top three globally in GDP per capita.
However, in football terms, Luxembourg was famously a minnow. Their historical record spoke for itself:
In 142 World Cup qualifying matches since 1934, Luxembourg had managed just 8 wins, alongside 10 draws and 124 losses.In UEFA European Championship qualifying matches since 1964, they had similarly secured 8 wins from 117 matches, with 11 draws and 98 losses.
Even their total number of wins was overshadowed by their record for the most goals conceded in a single match: a 0-10 loss.
Simply securing a draw in official competitions was considered a major achievement for the Luxembourg national team, also known as the Red Lions.
Portugal vs. Luxembourg
This match marked the 16th meeting between the two sides. Portugal had won 13 times, drawn once, and lost just once—their sole defeat coming in 1961, 58 years ago. At the time, Bruno's parents hadn't even been born.
Despite Luxembourg's underdog status, they had surprisingly avoided being the lowest-ranked team in the group. They had beaten Lithuania in the first round of qualifiers, earning a rare victory and ranking second from the bottom in the group. Their FIFA ranking of 93rd was also notably higher than Lithuania's 131st.
Still, facing Luxembourg hardly stirred excitement for Bruno. Starting and playing the full 90 minutes, he primarily served as a midfield anchor, dictating play and linking the team's attack and defense.
Even with Portugal operating below full intensity, they cruised to a 3-0 victory:
Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Gonçalo Guedes each scored.Bruno contributed with an assist from a corner for Guedes' goal.
A Grueling Encounter Against Ukraine
Three days later, Portugal traveled to Kyiv's Olympic Stadium to face Ukraine in a clash for the top spot in Group B.
At the time, both teams were tied with 15 points, but Portugal held the advantage in goal difference and had played one fewer match. With Serbia languishing in third place with just six points, the top two spots in the group were essentially secured.
In theory, a 0-0 draw between Portugal and Ukraine would guarantee both teams' progression. However, the match turned out to be a fiercely contested battle, with neither side showing any intent to settle for a draw.
Portugal's manager, Fernando Santos, had prepared meticulously. He rotated his squad against Luxembourg, ensuring his key players were fresh for the clash in Kyiv. Ukraine, managed by Andriy Shevchenko, fielded their strongest XI in a 4-1-4-1 formation:
Goalkeeper: PyatovDefenders: Karavaev, Kryvtsov, Matviyenko, MykolenkoMidfield: Stepanenko, Malinovskyi, Martios, Zinchenko, YarmolenkoForward: Yaremchuk
A Fierce Contest
The match was intense, with both teams fiercely contesting every inch of the pitch. Hard tackles and physical challenges resulted in multiple stoppages:
In the first half, Portugal's Gonçalo Guedes was injured and substituted, replaced by João Félix.Ukraine responded in kind, with Martios forced off and replaced by Konoplyanka.
Ukraine drew first blood in the 29th minute:
Stepanenko's cross into the box found Kryvtsov, whose header was parried by the goalkeeper.Yaremchuk pounced on the rebound, slotting it home to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The score remained unchanged at halftime, with the home crowd in Kyiv's Olympic Stadium roaring their approval.
Portugal Strikes Back
Portugal started the second half with renewed energy and quickly leveled the score within five minutes:
A pinpoint delivery from Bruno Fernandes into the box found Cristiano Ronaldo, who powered a header past the Ukrainian goalkeeper to make it 1-1.
The match continued at a frenetic pace, with both teams creating chances but unable to convert. As the final whistle approached, the intensity only increased, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Portugal Earns a Free Kick
Portugal earned a free kick in the attacking third. Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva stood over the ball, seemingly discussing strategy. Bruno began his run-up, feinting a direct shot, but cleverly let the ball run past him. Bernardo Silva followed up, lofting a perfectly placed cross into the box. Cristiano Ronaldo leapt high above Kryvtsov, heading the ball past the goalkeeper to equalize for Portugal.
However, in the 71st minute, Ukraine reclaimed the lead. Mykolenko delivered a precise cross from the left flank, finding an unmarked Andriy Yarmolenko at the edge of the 10-yard box. Yarmolenko coolly slotted the ball into the net, leaving Portugal's goalkeeper, Rui Patrício, with no chance.
The scoreboard now read 2-1 in favor of the hosts, sending the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv into rapturous celebration.
The Ukrainian fans roared in ecstasy, their cheers shaking the stadium to its core, as they unleashed the frustration of their 3-0 defeat to Portugal in the first group stage match. The entire venue seemed to tremble as if an earthquake had struck.
Tense Moments on the Sidelines
The camera panned to Fernando Santos, the Portuguese manager, whose stern expression betrayed his unease. Clearly, the unfavorable scoreline weighed heavily on his mind.
"It looks like Portugal is in trouble tonight. Their unbeaten run may well end here," said Andy Gray, commentating for Sky Sports.
"Ukraine has been exceptional today. Santos and Portugal have a tough challenge on their hands," added Martin Tyler.
Santos, of course, could not hear the commentators' observations, nor would he have cared. His sole focus was on finding a way to turn the match around and secure victory.
To Santos, the unbeaten streak meant little compared to the importance of winning this match. He was determined to seize all three points.
On the pitch, Bruno Fernandes attempted a dribble down the flank, only to be hauled down by Ukrainian right-back Karavaev, who was struggling to keep up with his pace. Santos saw an opportunity.
"Get Bruma warmed up," he instructed his assistant, Walder.
Walder hesitated momentarily, visibly surprised by the decision, but complied after receiving a firm nod from Santos.
"We still have time. Let's not give up on the match," Walder suggested cautiously as Bruma warmed up.
"Who said I'm giving up?" Santos countered sharply.
Bruma: An Unexpected Move
Amindo "Bruma" Tué Na Bangna, born in October 1994, was about to turn 25 in just ten days. Once a prodigious talent, he had shone alongside Bruno Fernandes at the 2013 Toulon Tournament and U-20 World Cup, where Portugal clinched both titles.
His early promise earned him a €13 million transfer to Turkish giants Galatasaray that same summer. However, Bruma's professional career had since been a rollercoaster. He struggled to secure starting roles across stints with clubs like Galatasaray, Real Sociedad, RB Leipzig, and PSV Eindhoven.
After earning his senior Portugal debut during the UEFA Nations League, Bruma had made three appearances but failed to register a goal or assist. In the ongoing European qualifiers, he had yet to feature, remaining on the fringes of the squad.
It was this history that made Walder suspect that Santos was signaling defeat by introducing Bruma.
A Tactical Shakeup
As Bruma warmed up on the sidelines, Santos reconfigured Portugal's setup:
Bernardo Silva moved to a more advanced role, forming a dual-striker partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo.Bruno Fernandes shifted to a right midfield position.João Félix occupied the left flank.
The tactical adjustment quickly paid dividends. Ronaldo's physical presence created opportunities, drawing defenders and freeing up space for Bernardo Silva to exploit.
Meanwhile, João Félix combined well with the overlapping Raphaël Guerreiro on the left, creating a lopsided attacking threat that heavily targeted Ukraine's right-back Karavaev.
Karavaev, under immense pressure, required frequent defensive support, causing Ukraine's defensive line to tilt precariously toward one side.
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