Portugal set standard against Romania

Portugal showed their intent to reach the UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals for the first time since 2004 with a convincing win against Romania in their elite round Group 2 opener.

The better team throughout, Portugal had their early lead cancelled out but were 2-1 up at the break and Bentinho and substitute To-Ze added further goals in the second half. Had to not been for Romania No1 Iustin Aliin Popescu, the margin could have been bigger yet.

Popescu made fine saves to stop headers from Betinho and Ricardo Esgaio but the goalkeeper conceded the penalty that led to the opening goal, bringing down João Mário who stepped up to convert. Three minutes later Andrei Stanescu's excellent ball set up Ilie Bogdan Vatajelu to equalise but not long afterward Tobias Figueiredo turned in Mateus Fonseca's corner.

Betinho, excellent throughout along with Bruma, doubled Portugal's lead early in the second half with a fine solo goal. Half-time substitute Sancidino Silva was playing well and hit the crossbar on 62 minutes but Portugal's fourth arrived in added time, To-Ze with a fine run and shot. On Sunday Portugal take on group hosts Bosnia-Herzegovina, who lost 2-1 to Romania's next opponents Croatia.