If Portugal under Fernando Santos were dull to watch, then the future is looking especially different for the Portuguese national team now that Roberto Martinez is the coach.
Having been appointed to replace Santos, who won Euro 2016 with the country, the Spaniard oversaw a dominant 5-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina on Monday evening.
It was a display of vibrant attacking football from the Portuguese, inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo who scored a brace within the first 20 minutes of play.
His first goal came from the penalty spot after Leon Barisic committed a handball inside the penalty area.
Ronaldo subsequently sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotted his penalty into the middle of the net, setting the wheels in motion for an easy evening.
Portugal’s attacking play was impressive
What became apparent as the first-half progressed was just how fluid Portugal were in attack. Their every move included fine off-ball movements and clever passing.
Of course, these players are used to playing together, but there was an urgency about them in possession that hadn’t been seen under Santos.
Ronaldo had to wait to find out if his second goal would stand after it was initially ruled out for offside. However, VAR confirmed it was a legal goal after Joao Felix found the veteran forward inside the penalty area, and he cutely chipped the ball into the net.
Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 just five minutes later, whipping a fierce right-footed shot into the roof of the net from outside the penalty area, putting his Manchester United frustrations to the back of his mind.
Fernandes then turned provider after 32 minutes, laying on a chance for Joao Cancelo to make it 4-0 to Portugal.
The Manchester United midfielder played a pass across the edge of the box to the full-back, who duly slammed the ball into the top corner much like his teammate had done around eight minutes earlier.
Joao Felix adds a fifth
Portugal again had a wait to find out if their fifth goal was to stand after Joao Felix’s own strike was ruled out for offside.
VAR then intervened again and the goal was given with it determined that Felix wasn’t offside in the build-up.
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The Barcelona forward found space inside the penalty area, and he wrongfooted the goalkeeper to place the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
It was a goalless second-half as Portugal looked to ease their exertions, and the victory sees the team continue to sit at the top of Euro 2024 qualifying group J, eight points clear of Slovakia in second place.
Roberto Martinez can now start to plan for the summer tournament in Germany, and by evidence from Monday evening, Portugal will be a real handful for anybody.
