Portugal 1-0 Azerbaijan LIVE RESULT: Cristiano Ronaldo fails to close on goal record as Portuguese limp past minnows
PORTUGAL began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a win that will not live long in the memory
Cristiano Ronaldo failed to move closer to Ali Daei's all-time international record of 109 goals, as an own goal from Azerbaijan captain Maksim Medvedev proved the only difference between the teams.
PORTUGAL STATS
Portugal begin their qualification campaign just a few months after their loss to France, devastating any hopes in a successful Nations League defence. France beat them 1-0 and pipped them to the top spot in League A Group 3.
Unfortunately not even their 3-2 win over Croatia just three days later could prevent Santos' men from finishing as runners-up.
Portugal will be expected to sweep aside competition in UEFA Group A - especially as they won five and lost just one of their eight fixtures in 2020
MATCH FACTS
Portugal have won the last 4 matches against Azerbaijan in all competitions.
Azerbaijan have lost 6 of their last 7 matches in the FIFA World Cup.
Portugal have only suffered two defeats since the 2018 World Cup.
Azerbaijan have drawn their last four matches 0-0.
It will be great to see a fight from Azerbaijan against the ultimately favoured team.
GOOD EVENING FROM JUVENTUS STADIUM
Good evening and welcome back to our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Portugal and Azerbaijan. The Road to Qatar starts now.
We’re excited to see what Portugal can produce as they begin their qualifying campaign and will Cristiano Ronaldo edge closer to Ali Daei’s all-time international record of 109 goals?
The last time these sides met was back in 2013 where Portugal dominated with a 2-0 win in the world qualifier in Baku and with Portugal having already beaten Azerbaijan five times previously.
We won’t see Rui Patricio playing for Portugal after a head injury picked up whilst playing for the Wolves against Liverpool. It’s likely that we will instead see Anthony Lopes in goal this evening.
Azerbaijan’s captain Maksim Medvedev arrived late to his team’s camp for personal reasons but is expected to start in Turin.
We’re also excited to see what up-and-coming players Joao Felix for Portugal and Qara Qarayev for Azerbaijan will have to offer in tonight’s game.
The match kicks off at 7.45pm in the UK and Portugal, 8.45pm in Italy and 11.45pm in Azerbaijan.