Portugal U21s crush Azerbaijan 4-0 in Baku to stay on course for Euro 2027 | OneFootball

Gonçalo Moreira had a dream debut by opening the scoring for Portugal (Photo: FPF)

Portugal’s under-21 team continued on their serene march towards the UEFA U21 European Championship 2027 to be held in Albania and Serbia.

On a special occasion for Daniel Banjaqui, Gonçalo Moreira and Mateus Mané, all making their debut at this level, Portugal beat Azerbaijan 4-0 in Baku to make it five wins and one draw from their six Group B qualifiers so far.

Luís Freire’s team dominated from the first whistle, and the only surprise was that the hosts somehow held out until half time, with the Seleção failing to find the net in any of their 10 attempts at goal.

The second half was a different story. Benfica’s Gonçalo Moreira has earned his chance after some sparking displays in the UEFA Youth League. In the 51st minute, the attacking midfielder capped his debut by stooping to head home from close range to finish off a fine Portugal move.

Two more goals from Tiago Parente and Youssef Chermiti followed to make it three goals in a 15-minute spell and put Portugal 3-0 up midway through the second half.

The best was left to last, though, with midfielder João Simões curling a beautiful left-foot shot over the goalkeeper and into the net for his first goal for the U21s.

Despite the absences of star players Rodrigo Mora and Geovany Quenda through injury, Portugal look set to clinch qualification early.

Freire’s team are in action again on Tuesday when they take on Scotland, back in Portugal, at Estoril.

Portugal: João Carvalho, Daniel Banjaqui, Gabriel Brás, Tiago Gabriel, Tiago Parente, João Simões (Diogo Sousa, 78’), Mathias de Amorim (Diego Rodrigues, 63’), Gonçalo Moreira (Mateus Mané, 70’), Carlos Forbs, Noah Saviolo (Roger Fernandes, 63’), Youssef Chermiti (Rodrigo Ribeiro, 70’)

[0-3] Youssef Chermiti, 66’

[0-4] João Simões, 76’