Portugal in Cruz control

Portugal opened their UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group 9 qualifying campaign with a comfortable 4-1 win at home to ten-man Lithuania in Oceano Cruz's first competitive game in charge.

Short-lived lead
Cruz's attacking team selection reaped reward in the 24th minute when André Monteiro's free-kick beat visiting keeper Vytautas Černiauskas. Lithuania drew level just a minute later through Karolis Chvedukas and could have taken the lead themselves on the half-hour mark but Arvydas Novikovas's effort whistled over the crossbar. Monteiro, known as 'Ukra', capitalised on a cross which deceived Černiauskas to restore Portugal's lead on 55 minutes and substitute Rui Pedro put the result beyond doubt eight minutes later.

Late dismissal
João Aurélio added a gloss to the score with seven minutes left and Lithuania's misery was compounded with the dismissal of Lukas Kochanauskas on the stroke of full-time. Portugal are second in Group 9, three points adrift of Greece who have played twice but ahead of England on goal difference, while Lithuania are bottom having failed to pick up a point from their opening two fixutres.