Perfect start for Portuguese

Stronger all round
Prince Alois of Liechtenstein greeted the teams before kick-off but it was immediately apparent that the 1,500 crowd would not be witness to an upset. The Portuguese were not just more technically accomplished but also physically stronger. Liechtenstein coach Ralf Loose is blooding young players in this competition - more than half of his players were at least a year younger than their opponents - and it showed.

Opening goal
Portugal went in front on 17 minutes when SL Benfica midfield player João Pereira sent a low cross-shot past goalkeeper Daniel Steuble. The second half brought a change of weather - after intense heat earlier in the day, the heavens opened as a thunderstorm broke - and a deluge of goals.

Imposing physique
Hugo Almeida struck the second on 63 minutes, collecting a João Pereira pass inside the box and beating Steuble with a low left-footed shot. Almeida, an FC Porto player, tasted senior football on loan at UD Leira last season and stood out here for his imposing physique alone.

Mündle sent off
The third goal arrived when Alabor headed substitute Rodrigo Angelo's cross into his own net on 72 minutes. Following Mündle's sending-off - a foul on Felipe Rodrigo earned him a second yellow card - substitute Fonseca added the fourth on 82 minutes with a close-range finish before Paulo Sérgio got in on the act with a far-post header from Hélio Pinto's cross.