Portugal run Serbia to ground

Portugal booked a UEFA European Futsal Championship semi-final meeting with Azerbaijan in Debrecen on Thursday after relentless pressure, astute tackling and sturdy defending late on earned them victory against an out-of-sorts Serbia.

Joel opener
Portugal took the initiative from the off: Vladimir Ranisavljević was quick off his line to block Arnaldo's early shot, and no less effective in denying Pedro Costa as Portugal broke away. However, Slobodan Rajčević had not long been booked for a chop on Joel Queirós when the injured party opened the scoring, steadying himself following an interception outside the box to score.

Last-ditch heroics
When Cardinal lifted the ball over the bar following a dizzying run of quick passes shortly afterwards, Serbia were in danger of being pulled apart by their quick, composed opponents. With Portugal throwing themselves on any loose balls and tackling no less fiercely, it was only down to some last-ditch heroics from Ranisavljević that the score was only 1-0 at the interval.

Cool finish
A second goal came within three minutes of the restart, a long throw from Bébé, prefereed to João Benedito in goal, catching Serbia napping, with Cardinal sweeping up the left flank to cut the ball into Ranisavljević's net. Bébé made a fine double save to deny Marko Perić and then Mladen Kocić but before long the game slipped further away from Serbia, Joel surging through on the break to finish coolly.

Opportunist lob
Serbia went further behind when Leitão won the ball from Vladimir Lazić and lifted it over stranded flying goalkeeper Perić from the halfway line. Serbia were handed a lifeline on 36 minutes when Željko Borojević set up Vidan Bojović to arrow a shot past Bébé from the right flank, but Arnaldo restored the four-goal lead with a neat touch and finish to confirm Portugal's second straight semi-final appearance.