Manchester United were attentively chasing Darwin Nunez before Liverpool snatched him from their grasp.
06.06.2022 - 10:59 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Portugal beat Switzerland 4-0 and register their first win of this current Nations League campaign.
After starting Thursday evening's 1-1 draw with Spain on the bench, Ronaldo, who scored 24 goals for Manchester United this past season, was restored to the starting line-up by Portugal boss Fernando Santos for the clash at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon. He wasted little time in justifying his recall, scoring twice in just four first-half minutes.
After taking an early lead through William Carvalho, Portugal doubled their advantage through Ronaldo just ten minutes before the half-time interval. He netted his second and Portugal's third four minutes later, ensuring they had a commanding lead to take into the break.
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Portugal made absolutely sure of the three points just past the midway point of the second-half, netting the fourth goal through Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo. Bruno Fernandes started the match but was replaced by Bernardo Silva just a minute before Cancelo scored, while Diogo Dalot was an unused substitute.
The win moved Portugal to the top of their Nations League group as Spain could only manage a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic. They required a last-gasp equaliser from Inigo Martinez to earn a point.
Elsewhere in the Nations League, Reds youngster Anthony Elanga sampled his first taste of the competition, stepping off the bench to score a late consolation goal in Sweden's 2-1 home defeat to Norway and bag his first international goal. He was introduced with the Swedes 1-0 down and scored a lovely, curling effort in stoppage time after Erling Haaland
Manchester United were attentively chasing Darwin Nunez before Liverpool snatched him from their grasp.
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