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Portugal national football team
International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2015 at 8.45pm UK
 
Cape Verde national football team

0-2

FT(HT: 0-2)
Fortes (38'), Gege (43')

Live Commentary: Portugal 0-2 Cape Verde - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of the international friendly between Portugal and Cape Verde.
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Cape Verde clinched a 2-0 win over Portugal in an international friendly in Estoril this evening.

Odair Fortes and Gege both scored shortly before half time to give the African side the lead.

The home side's hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow in the second half when Andre Pinto was sent off for a challenge on Heldon.

Read how all the action unfolded below.


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Good evening! It's just half an hour until kickoff in Estoril, where Portugal will be hosting African minnows Cape Verde. Let's start with a look at the team news.

PORTUGAL STARTING XI: Lopes, Antunes, Pinto, Oliveira, Soares, Mario, Vierinha, Silva, Gomes, Silva, Almeida

CAPE VERDE STARTING XI: Diaz, Varela, Gege, Nivaldo, Jeffry Fortes, Semedo, Platini, Rocha, Odair Fortes, Heldon, Tavares

PORTUGAL SUBSTITUTES: Ventura, Marafona, Pereira, Pinto, Andre, Cavaleiro, Almeida, Eder, Ukra, Fonte, Pizzi, Joao

CAPE VERDE SUBSTITUTES: Sousa, Babanco, Carlitos, Ricardo, Steven Fortes, Rodrigues, Calu, Mendes

The obvious big news for Portugal is that there is no Cristiano Ronaldo. The world player of the year returned to his club a couple of days ago to rest his knee. In fact, it's a totally different starting lineup to the side that beat Serbia in a Euro 2016 qualifier last week. It looks like Fernando Santos is using this match to look at some of his fringe players, and there could be some opportunities for the countries young, upcoming striker, with five named on the bench for the hosts. Hugo Almeida will lead the attack, having been an unused substitute in Sunday's win.

Those that followed the African Cup of Nations earlier this year will probably recognise most of the Cape Verde squad. Heldon will be the man to watch up front, as the Cordoba striker has 12 goals in 35 international appearances. Elvis Babanco, who starts on the bench, will surely be keen to get a run out, as he plays his club football at Estoril. The majority of the squad play in the major European league, while a few play for Angolan side Progresso, while Platini, who takes his nickname from the UEFA president Michel Platini, is on Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia's books.

Portugal come into this match in strong form, having won their last four in all competitions. In fact, just one of their last six friendlies have resulted in defeat, and the experimental side will surely be keen to impress.

Cape Verde have been in fairly mixed form. Three draws in the group stage of the African Cup of Nations ensured that they failed to reach the knockout stage of the tournament, but they have lost just one in their last seven outings, in their final AFCON qualifier against Zambia last year.

The players are staring to make their way out ready for kickoff. It's not a sellout in Estoril, but there are a smattering of fans there to cheer on both sides.

PREDICTION! As the sides line up for a the national anthems, there's just time for a quick prediction. It is an experienced Portuguese side, and Cape Verde will feel that they have a chance, but the hosts will be confident that they have enough quality to beat the African side. I'm going for a 2-0 home win.

We've also got live coverage of the second half of the matches between Italy and England and Israel vs. Belgium at the moment. You can find the links to those fixtures here.

KICKOFF! Cape Verde get the match underway.

It's a bright start by the visitors as Heldon charges down the left almost straight from kickoff, stretching the hosts at the back early on, but Lopes comes off his line to make sure the striker's ball into the box is swiftly cleared.

Cape Verde are certainly looking lively in the opening minutes of this encounter as Platini and Odair Fortes both try to cross the ball in, but Soares manages to hook it clear for the hosts.

Heldon plays a well-timed ball forward to Tavares, who sprints down the left before looking to cross it in, but there's no-one forward in support for the visitors, and Antunes makes the clearance. Portugal really haven't had much of the ball inside their own half so far.

BOOKING! Paulo Olivieira hasn't taken long to test the referee, and he gets a booking for his trouble, having caught Heldon late on the flank.

Portugal get on the attack for the first time in the game as Adrien Silva makes a run down the right before delivering a superb cross into the box, but there's no-one near it to try to tap it in.

Heldon is looking just as impressive as he did in the Africa Cup of Nations in the opening 10 minutes in Estoril as he charges down the left again, before forcing Soares to turn the ball behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Gege rises up high to try to head it in, but his finish is well wide.

Portugal are back on the attack, and Andre Gomes tries to create some space on the edge of the box, but some rather physical defending from Platini leaves the midfielder on the ground, and allows Nivaldo to boot it well clear. While Heldon has been looking flashy up front, the visitors certainly look well-organised at the back too.

CHANCE! The first real opportunity of the match falls to the visitors as Odair Fortes catches Portugal out with an impressive run down the right flank before picking out Tavares with a cross, but the striker's finish is just deflected behind for a corner.

CHANCE! Josimar Diaz Vozinha has to make his first save of the night for the visitors as Hugo Almeida connects with a loose ball int he box. His finish a slightly scuffed, and it almost catches the keeper out, but he just gets a glove to it, before Gege puts it out.

CHANCE! Portugal are starting to find their way into this match after being put on the back foot a little in the opening 15 minutes. Joao Maria plays the through ball to Adrien Silva, but his touch on the turn is poor, and he can't get the shot away.

CHANCE! Vozinha is being is being kept busy in the Cape Verde goal at the minute as Almeida is flagged for offside just before unleashing a shot, while a superb cross from Vierinha moments later leaves Bernardo Silva with a chance, but his low finish is just kept out by the keeper.

CHANCE! Just as it looks like Portugal are starting to dominate, Cape Verde are back down the other end thanks to a blistering run from Odair Fortes, who is proving a handful down the right this evening. He crosses the ball to Nuno Rocha, but Lopes is ready to claim his shot.

CHANCE! Hugo Almeida lines up a powerful finish from just inside the box, but a desperate lunge from Jeffrey Fortes does just enough to turn the effort behind. It looks like Tony Varela, who slipped in the build up, could have picked up a knee injury though. That would be a blow for the visitors.

Almeida is looking like Portugal's best chance of a goal before half time, but he recklessly pulls Jeffry Fortes down with a flailing arm catching the defending in the throat, giving away a free kick before he can take his shot. He's probably lucky not to have seen a yellow card for that challenge.

It's all gone a bit quiet in the last few minutes as Portugal continue to run at the Cape Verde defence to no avail, while the visitors are still trying to make the most of their pace down the wings. Just to remind you, it was goalless the last time these two sides met.

Portugal are starting to dominate the possession again, but they're just not finding gaps in the Cape Verde defence. Adrien Silva wins a free kick around 25 yards out though, which could provide an opening for the hosts.

Vitorino Antunes curls it in with his left foot, but it misses all of his teammates before also floating wide of the post without causing too much concern for Vozinha.

GOAL! Portugal 0-1 Cape Verde (Odair Fortes)

Wow! What a truly spectacular finish that was from Odair Fortes. Once again, the speedy winger is on the move down the right, but there's no-one open in the middle, so he tries his luck with a sliced finish from out wide, just to the right of the penalty area, and Anthony Lopes can't stretch enough to tip it behind, leaving the ball to sneak into the top corner.

That goal has brought Cape Verde back to life as they're pushing for a second before the interval. Heldon tries to get himself free on the edge of the box, but Antunes does just enough to hold the striker up.

Rocha tries to carve his way around Adrien Silva on the edge of the box to set up a second for the visitors, but the Portugal midfielder hacks the winger down, giving the African side a free kick just on the edge of the box.

GOAL! Portugal 0-2 Cape Verde (Gege)

What an impressive finish to the first half this has been by the visitors. Heldon lines up the free kick, curling it into the path of Gege. Lopes dives too soon to make the save, leaving the Cape Verde defender to tap into an empty net after beating Andre Pinto for pace on his way in. The Portuguese bench do not look impressed.

Cape Verde are on the ball again as the first half heads into a minute of stoppage time, but it looks like an injury to Adrien Silva could spare the home side's blushes further before the break.

HALF TIME: Portugal 0-2 Cape Verde

So at half time, it's something of a shock on the cards as Cape Verde score twice in the final 10 minutes before the break to take a 2-0 half-time lead thanks for goals from Odair Fortes and Gege.

If the first half, Portugal had more of the ball with 56%. The hosts also created the majority of the chances, with eight to Cape Verde's three. Both sides had two efforts on target, but the difference is that Vozinha saved both of Portugal's. It's been a bit headed so far, with each side giving away seven free kicks, while Portugal have had the only booking so far, with Oliveira seeing yellow early on.

The hosts have brought a 12-man bench for this match, including five strikers, so expect to see a string of changes once the action gets back underway. I wouldn't be surprised to see Anthony Lopes making way in the goal either. He really could have done better with both of Cape Verde's goals so far, and their are two options on the bench.

The players are starting to make their way back out for the second half. Unsurprisingly, it's the visitors out first, while the home side appear to be taking their time.

SUB! The visitors make a change before the action gets back underway, with Gege coming off for Steven Fortes. That's now three Fortes's on the pitch for Cape Verde!

RESTART! The hosts get the match back underway.

SUB! There's also a change for Portugal at the start of the second half as Ukra takes the place of Joao Mario. That should give Portugal a bit more fire power up front.

CHANCE! Vierinha almost pulls one back straight away for the hosts as Ukra plays the ball forward for the midfielder, who takes a touch before unleashing a swerving effort from the edge of the box. The visiting keeper reads it well though, and is able to tip it around the post.

The hosts have clearly had a bit of a talking to at half time as they're really pressing at the start of this second half. Vierinha whips the ball across for Soares, but the midfielder can't quite reach it in time to tap it in, and it goes just wide.

Ukra has provided a decent hit of pace to the Portugal attack since coming on, curling the ball in towards Almeida, but Varela beats him to the ball, and it goes just wide of the post. Cape Verde have been holding on a bit at the start of this second half, but Portugal just can't get the ball in the back of the net.

Adrien Silva takes it back down the left for the home side, but his cross is well blocked by Jeffry Fortes. Ukra gets a chance from the edge of the box, but his curling effort misses the top corner.

RED CARD! Andre Pinto comes in late from behind to bring down Heldon just outside the box. He was the last man, and the striker was clear through on goal, so the Portugal man has to go.

CHANCE! Platini tries to curl the ball in from just outside the box from the resulting free kick but his effort it blocked. Heldon has a chance on the rebound, but he can't get it in.

SUB! The hosts respond to the loss of Pinto, sending on Danilo in place of Bernando Silva.

SUB! Good news for the Estoril supporters as Elvis Babanco is on at his club's home stadium for the visitors, replacing Platini.

Cape Verde are trying to make the most of their man advantage, with Varela and Semedo both coming out from the back to try to apply the pressure going forward, but it comes to nothing.

SUBS! The visitors make a couple more changes, with Pizzi, Andre Andre and Eder all coming on, with Andre Silva, Hugo Almeida and Cedric Soares going off.

BOOKING! Semedo is the first player to pick up a yellow card for the visitors as he catches Ukra from behind.

Ukra appears to be something of a marked man at the moment as the pacy substitute is bundles down by Babanco, giving the visitors a free kick just inside the corner circle. It's a good position for Portugal to create something, but Pizzi's delivery is punches clear with ease by Vozinha.

CHANCE! Pizzi squares the ball to Eder, but Steven Fortes just reaches it first to squeeze it behind for a corner.

SUB! The visitors make an attacking change as midfielder Calu replaces defender Tony Varela.

Portugal are the more attacking at the moment as they try to get back into the match, but the the extra man on the pitch, it all looks very comfortable and easy for CApe Verde as the block attempt after attempt before Heldon tries to break free on the counter.

A high ball into the box almost drops for Eder, but once again he misses out to some excellent marking from Jeffry Fortes, who really has been excellent at the back this evening.

Vierinha and Pizzi link up in midfield as Portugal rally to go on the attack again, but it looks like it's going to take something pretty special to get the better of Cape Verde this evening, and their tidy but uninspired passing just isn't testing the visitors.

SUB! Portugal make another change as Ivan Cavaleiro comes on for Vierinha. That gives the hosts a very attacking lineup for the final 10 minutes.

SUB! There's a triple change for the visitors too as Heldon, Julio Tavares and Odair Fortes, who opened the scoring, head off for Garry Rodrigues, Ryan Mendes and Ricardo.

CHANCE! From nowhere, Antunes makes a quick burst down the left and whips the ball in towards Andre. The substitute rises up high to try to nod it past Vozinha, but his finish is just a couple of inches wide.

Jeffry Fortes isn't happy as he's penalised for a foul on Ukra near the corner flag, giving the hosts a chgance from a set piece, but Garry Rodrigues heads it behind.

CHANCE! Eder could not get much closer without actually putting the ball in the back of the net. A high ball falls for the sriker, who is waiting at the near post, but somehow he puts it behind, despite having been unmarked.

Rocha and Vierinha battle hard in midfield for the ball, but the Cape Verde man catches the latter, giving the home side the free kick. They can't make the most of it though as Eder once again misses at the near post.

Vozinha has been superb at the back for the visitors, and he makes another crucial move as he comes off his line to gather from an Ukra cross. Meanwhile, there are four minutes of stoppage time to be played.

Eder and Jeffry Fortes continue to clash down the left, and the latter gives away a free kick when he bundles the striker to the ground. The initial danger is cleared before Ukra tries his luck from 25 yards out. The low strike has pace, but it bobbles just wide.

FULL TIME: Portugal 0-2 Cape Verde

The Cape Verde players are clearly elated as the full time whistle is blown, handing them a 2-0 win over Portugal. It's a huge result for the African nation, who have never beaten the country that they only gained independence from in 1975 before tonight.

Odair Fortes will be particularly happy with his goal, which comes on his 28th birthday. The Stade Reims striker has only previously scored twice for his country.

That's all from this match, but you can find our match report for this game and a number of other fixtures on our results page. Thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.

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Greece's Portuguese coach Fernando Santos is pictured during a group C football match between Colombia and Greece at the Mineirao Arena in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 14, 2014
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