Portugal spoil Estonia's opening night

Portugal's quest for a first-ever UEFA European Under-19 Championship title began with a comfortable 3-0 victory against tournament hosts Estonia in Tallinn.

Portugal scored 29 goals in their six qualifying games and they added to that tally after just five minutes at the Lilleküla Stadium when Artur Pikk headed into his own net. An opportunistic strike from Betinho midway through the half doubled the tally while Daniel Martins' brilliantly struck free-kick completed a memorable night for Edgar Borges's side.

Portugal dominated the early stages of this Group A encounter, passing and moving with speed and skill and spreading the play well as they sought to stretch the hosts.

The early pressure earned the visitors a corner, and though Bruma's delivery looked harmless, a touch from forward Artur Rättel changed the flight of the ball and Pikk, taken by surprise, headed past his own keeper at the back post.

Portugal's build-up play was unrelenting as they sought a quick second with Agostinho Cá and Martins both going close with long-range efforts. As the half progressed they looked to take advantage from wide areas and were finally rewarded in the 25th minute when João Cancelo's centre wreaked havoc in the Estonian area. Kevin Ingermann headed straight up in the air before Johannes Kukebal misjudged the follow-up, nodding the ball down to the lurking Betinho, who prodded past Vadim Gurnik from close range.

Estonia looked to lift the 6,000-plus crowd after the break. Arno Pijpers' team created decent openings from which captain Karl-Eerik Luigend managed a shot off target before Rättel's effort suffered the same fate following good build-up play by Hannes Anier.

Try as they might, however, Estonia could not break through and it was Portugal who completed the scoring when Martins's wonderful set piece arced over Gurnik.