SARAJEVO – Portugal “must consider ourselves one of the Euro 2024 favourites” after Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Roberto Martinez’s relentless side thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0 on Monday in qualifying.
Portugal, who booked their place at the tournament in Germany next summer with a win over Slovakia last Friday, continued their superb form under the Spanish coach with their eighth victory in eight games since he arrived.
Said Barcelona fullback Joao Cancelo: “Are Portugal one of the favourites for Euro 2024? We know there are great teams like France, Netherlands, Spain.
“I believe we have the individual players who are the equal of these teams, but we have to keep improving. We all play for big clubs and we must consider ourselves one of the favourites.”
Midfielder Otavio added: “Who can stop this Portugal team? Nobody I hope.”
Ronaldo, 38, netted his 126th and 127th Portugal goals, further improving his record as the leading all-time men’s international goalscorer.
Said debutant midfielder Joao Neves, 19: “When Ronaldo was playing Euro 2004, I hadn’t even been born. It’s something that will leave a mark on my whole career and I’ll always remember.”
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes added the third before Barcelona duo Cancelo and Joao Felix joined in the fun, all before half-time.
Bosnia, led by veteran target man Edin Dzeko, languish in fifth spot on nine points and can no longer progress from the group, after Slovakia beat Luxembourg 1-0.
Bosnia have two games remaining and are seven points behind second-placed Slovakia in Group J, with Portugal the runaway leaders.
Martinez’s side have scored 32 goals and have conceded only twice, racking up all 24 points possible.
He said: “There were many important signs for us. As a football player and fan you want memories. The memory of winning 5-0 away, eight consecutive victories, has to leave us satisfied.”
Defender Danilo Pereira added: “There’s a long way to go until the European Championship and a lot of improving to do to reach our highest level, given that we’ll meet strong, combative and well-organised teams.”
Al-Nassr striker Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot and dinked home his second with a neat finish, but was replaced by Diogo Jota after 65 minutes, while still in search of his hat-trick.
The former Real Madrid forward was also confronted by a pitch invader shortly before half-time, but stewards swiftly intervened.
Fernandes and Cancelo finished with sublime accuracy and power as the hosts’ defence crumbled miserably, while Felix stroked in the fifth.
Bosnia tightened up in the second half but it was far too little, too late. AFP
