Holders hit form in time

Portugal squeezed into the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship with a resounding 4-0 victory against Ukraine in Avoine.

Narrow squeeze
The holders therefore clinched second place behind Group B winners England and earned a semi-final against hosts France in Blois on Wednesday evening. Carlos Dinis' side finished level with Austria on four points, but edged ahead by virtue of a superior goal difference. Ukraine, meanwhile, ended bottom of the table having lost all three games.

Three changes
Dinis made three changes from the side beaten 3-1 by England on Thursday, with João Pinhal, Rui Gomes and Feliciano Condesso all coming into the starting lineup. Igor Korotetskyy, Irakliy Tsykoliya and Denys Oliynyk all began the match for Ukraine.

Early goal
Viktor Kaschey's side began the brighter at the Stade Peteseilles, with Yevgen Nakorenok providing a succession of dangerous cross early on. However, in the eleventh minute Portugal took the lead, Sandro Moreira and Bruno Moreira combining well for captain Bruno Gama to strike a right-footed shot into the top corner.

Gama glee
Although Ukraine struggled for a way back into the match it was 2-0 in the 22nd minute as Tsykoliya conceded a penalty and Gama made no mistake from the spot, sending Oleksandr Rybka the wrong way with a shot low into the bottom right-hand corner.

Oliynyk denied
In a combative contest four players were cautioned inside the first half-hour, while six minutes before half-time Dmytro Moldovan’s positive run down the left gave Oliynyk a chance but the forward's shot from near the penalty spot was comfortably saved by Ricardo Janota.

Further opportunities
Portugal might have extended their lead either side of half-time, with first Gama was unable to complete his hat-trick as his weak chip was easily gathered by Rybka. Eight minutes after the interval a great run by Portuguese right-back Gilberto Silva led to a cross that found Bruno Moreira unmarked in front of goal but the striker failed to control the ball.

Stunning strike
Three minutes later it was 3-0, Rui Gomes scoring a spectacular goal as he controlled the ball with his right foot before turning to send a precision shot into the top corner of the net from 30 metres out.

Moldovan involved
Moldovan then had two chances to reduce the arrears, first being tackled by Gilberto Silva as he prepared to shoot before forcing a good reflex save from Janota from the resulting corner.

Ukraine disappointment
João Pinhal has a 25-metre shot well saved by Rybka, before Ukraine stepped up their search for a consolation goal as Nakorenok and Denys Dedechko both had half-chances before Moldovan's effort hit the crossbar with four minutes remaining.

Last-gasp fourth
It was Portugal who scored again, however, substitute Fausto Dias Lourenço turning to send a left-footed shot low into the corner of the net two minutes into added time to round off his side's win.