Portugal 3-0 Bulgaria - Rodrigo Mora, Tiago Parente & Gustavo Varela on target in the European U21 Championship qualifiers | OneFootball

Portugal maintained their perfect record in the 2027 European U21 Championship qualifiers after beating Bulgaria 3-0 at Portimão Estádio.

Tiago Parente hit the post early on as the game was deadlocked at half-time. The Equipa das Quinas took the lead in the 55th minute when Parente’s cross was converted by Rodrigo Mora.

Bulgaria were reduced to 10 men in the 64th minute when Georgi Lazarov received a second yellow card.

Portugal doubled their advantage two minutes later when Diogo Travassos’ shot was saved by Plamen Andreev and Parente picked up the scraps.

The contest was over in the 79th minute, Sá finding Carlos Forbs who saw his cross converted by Gustavo Varela.

The result takes Luís Freire’s side to the top of Group B where they sit level with the Czech Republic but ahead on goal difference.

Early chance

Portugal had a great chance to open the scoring in the opening minutes when Martim Fernandes sent a cross into the box, Youssef Chermiti seeing his shot saved by Plamen Andreev and Tiago Parente’s follow up effort deflected off the post.

The chances temporarily dried up as Bulgaria’s defence held firm, but the home side got back on top with Diego Rodrigues forcing a save from Andreev and Chermiti firing Parente’s cross wide. Rodrigues then played a 1-2 with Rodrigo Mora before his shot was blocked, Gustavo Sá sending a low drive wide.

Mora had a great chance on the stroke of half time when he found himself through on goal following a tackle from Sá, the teenager firing over the bar.

Goalless at half time

The second half started the same way as the first, Fernandes’ cross finding Chermiti who couldn’t keep his header down.

Bulgaria had a great chance when Kristiyan Balov’s cross fell to Asen Mitkov at far post, the captain wasting the opportunity and immediately replaced by Nikolay Zlatev.

The deadlock was broken in the 55th minute and it was the Equipa das Quinas who took the lead in Portimão. Roger’s shot was blocked, the ball going out to Parente whose cross was turned home by Mora.

Luís Freire wasted no time in bringing on Diogo Travassos and João Simões for Martim Fernandes and Diego Rodrigues.

Bulgaria’s chances were dealt a huge blow in the 64th minute when Georgi Lazarov, who had been booked on the stroke of half-time, fouled Sá and was shown a second yellow card.

Freire made two more changes, Roger and Chermiti making way for Carlos Forbs and Gustavo Varela.

Full-backs construct Portugal’s second goal

Portugal punished the visitors with a second goal just two minutes after they had been reduced to 10 men. Travassos’ shot was saved by Andreev, the ball falling perfectly for Parente who made no mistake.

The match began to resemble a training drill and any doubts about the result were dissipated in the 79th minute. Sá played the ball out to Carlos Forbs and his cross was converted by Varela.

Mora made way for Rafael Luís before the game finished with a flurry, Andreev saving efforts by Quenda and Tiago Gabriel, Forbes missing the target and a Simões shot deflected wide.

Portugal take top spot

Portugal were huge favourites to beat Bulgaria but had to wait until the 58th minute to take the lead. Rodrigo Mora made it three goals in three games as Luís Freire’s side took top spot in Group B.

The Equipa das Quinas sit level on nine points with the Czech Republic but have a two-goal advantage. The teams will meet in Hradec Králové on 18 November and will finish the qualifying campaign in Portugal on 6 October 2026.

Bulgaria’s slim chances were effectively over in the 64th minute when Georgi Lazarov was sent off. Portugal ended the contest with 22-2 shots including 10-0 on target.

Freire has an incredibly talented squad at his disposal and the challenge for the new manager will be finding the right balance and combinations in key positions.

The striker position is up for grabs with Youssef Chermiti getting a start in Portimão. Gustavo Varela started the opening two qualifiers but was initially left out of the squad, called up to replace the injured Vivaldo Semedo and making it count with a goal.

Portugal will remain in Lagos before taking a bus journey to Gibraltar where they will aim to make it four straight wins on Tuesday.

Line-Up

Portugal (4-4-1-1): João Carvalho; Martim Fernandes (Diogo Travassos 59’), Tiago Gabriel, Gonçalo Oliveira, Tiago Parente; Diego Rodrigues (João Simões 59’), Gustavo Sá; Geovany Quenda, Roger Fernandes (Carlos Forbs 66’); Rodrigo Mora (Rafael Luis 80’); Youssef Chermiti (Gustavo Varela 66’)

Coach: Luís Freire