Ufff, it’s done!!! Portugal is in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship after defeating Italy (5×3 sq.), this Monday, in the first battle of the knockout stage of the second stage of the European competition, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, one of the two countries that will host the final stage. What a game, what a thrill, what an end!

BUT choice of hopes he won by two goals in both the first and second half, but found it difficult to stay calm in the game, at least in terms of the result. As for the game, the team led by Rui Jorge has shown at various times that he can go (even more) far in Euro!

Dani leaves Mota and rides a bike

Confidence… The first sign of the Portuguese armada on the field of the SRC Stozice stadium, home stadium of Olimpija Ljubliana. After group stage Flawlessly, with three wins in an equal number of games, no conceded goals, Portugal did not hesitate to take the reins into their own hands and, unsurprisingly, gained the advantage at a still very premature stage.

Corner in favor of Portugal. Fabiu Vieira kicks with his left foot to the right and after the rebound Dani Mota shoots first, a bicycle kick (!), Imagine for 1×0. Gooooooo! This was heard in the stands in the voice of the overwhelming majority of the 1,032 present. Soon in half an hour 2×0!

New song in favor of the Portuguese group. Silence. Can the recipe be repeated? And even! Fabio Vieira went from the long bar to the second bar, where Daniel Braganza seemed to soften the serve … Dani Mota… The Monza striker came out from behind and shot at Carnesecca’s goal.

However, due to the whistle for the break, the advantage that seemed unnoticed was seriously ignored. An Italian team led by Paolo Nicolato, who led the Italian youth under 19 to final make euroCuriously, in 2018, the game against Portugal took effect in the last five minutes of the first half, just in time to narrow the difference thanks to the Escape, also after the standard.

Eternal Minute 109

There are films that are so epic that they seem unique. But this is not the case. 2016. Eder chose the European for choice A in the 109th minute. 2018. Pedro Martelo decided to win the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in the 109th minute. 2021. O minute 109 it was again a huge blessing for the Portuguese colors, now for the sub-21 advance to the Euro semi-finals.

Getty / Jonathan Moscrop

And, like in 2018, Portugal lost a two-goal lead, had to go into extra time due to equality at the end of regulation time and decided there, in that 109th minute. Incredible, isn’t it? One happy coincidenceat least for Portugal, of course. But let’s go.

Back in the 2nd half, Diogo Costa prevented 2v2 after nine minutes, instinctively defending against Frattesi’s blow, and four minutes later, opportunist Gonçalo Ramos appeared in the center of the zone to parry Diogo’s pass. Queiros at the back of the gate. Gooooool … Easy! Then Italy reacted and gave no reason for many celebrations. 3×2… What nerves !!!

After the second shot, Rui Jorge adjusted the formation, strengthening the midfield, Paolo Nicolato replied: four substitutions practically from the spot and won against the Italian. 3×3 on a minute out of 90, with Cutrone and Sottila, two figures launched in the second half, the main characters.

Exile paved the way

Getty / Yuri Kodrun

91 minutes. First minute of extra time. Matteo Lovato receives an order from exile and leaves Portugal outnumbered. Despite this, Italy remained connected with the game, surpassing it in some moments, but strength, faith and UNITY everything changed from Portugal.

In the 109th minute, the famous 109th minute, Hota again brought the Quinas team to the scoreboard, and the youngest Francisco Conceizao killed the game in the 119th minute. Rui Jorge was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Come socks!