Ronaldo-less Portugal get off to a winning start in Nations League after beating Italy 1-0. Andre Silva outshines excellent Gianluigi Donnarumma to seal the win.
2018/2019 UEFA Nations League
1-0
Match Events
4' Carvalho's header wide out
Portugal go short from the resulting corner before a delightful pass is clipped into the middle by Neves to Carvalho, who has acres of room but cannot hit the target with his header and has his blushes saved by the linesman's flag.
20' SAVE! Donnarumma denies Andre Silva's shot
SAVE! First shot on target for Portugal as Italy once again concede possession sloppily but Andre Silva's curled effort from just inside the box is easily collected by Donnarumma.
26' Bernardo Silva's shot cleared by Romagnoli at the goal-line
OFF THE LINE! Portugal inches away from an opening goal! Donnarumma fails to grab Carvalho's header out of the air and it falls kindly to Bernardo Silva, who drills a shot at goal but has his attempt hooked away by Romagnoli.
31' Mario Rui hits the bar after deflection
OFF THE BAR! Portugal come close again as Rui drills a fierce ball into the middle that Cristante deflects up into the air and bounces back off the frame of the goal.
35' CHANCE! Carvalho's attempt from distance skims the far post
WIDE! Portugal come close again as Carvalho drills a low effort towards the left of Donnarumma but it whistles past the wrong side of the post.
48' GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Italy (Andre Silva)
GOAL! 1-0 Portugal! Italy's defence is exposed once again as Bruma leads the charge and his ball finds it's way to Andre Silva, who shifts onto his left foot and fires past Donnarumma into the far corner.
59' SAVE! Donnarumma fingertips Bernado Silva's shot out
WHAT A SAVE! Bernardo Silva unleashes a fierce strike that looks destined to find the top corner but Donnarumma tips the ball over the bar with a stunning save.
67' Donnarumma denies Pizzi in two attempts
SAVE! Portugal continue to threaten and Donnarumma is again called into action, diving down low to palm away Pizzi's driven effort and then bouncing on the loose ball.
Match reports
Andre Silva stepped up and scored the decisive goal in Cristiano Ronaldo's absence, as Portugal began their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 win over Italy to take control of League A's Group 3.
Fernando Santos accepted Ronaldo's request to be rested and, while there may have been some pre-match trepidation about their chances without the Juventus star, Portugal went on to dominate Italy in Lisbon.
Roberto Mancini's men rode their luck in the first half, relying on a goal-line clearance from Andrea Romagnoli and the frame of the goal to keep them on level terms.
But Portugal found a way through just after the break – lively Sevilla striker Andre Silva producing a neat finish after a devastating Bruma-inspired counter - and that proved to be winning goal.
Italy looked every inch a team which featured nine alterations from their last outing, as Portugal looked the more coherent and carved them open in the 14th minute, only for Bernardo Silva to play a poor pass into the danger zone instead of shooting.
Romagnoli then had to be alert just before the half-hour mark, clearing Bernardo Silva's effort off the line after Andre Silva made a nuisance of himself.
Italy were fortunate again a few moments later – Mario Rui's low cross deflecting off Bryan Cristante and coming back off the crossbar.
Portugal's persistence finally paid off three minutes into the second half, with Andre Silva curling into the bottom corner after Bruma's low cross was deflected into his path.
Bernardo Silva tested Gianluigi Donnarumma with a stinging drive soon after, one of few second-half opportunities, despite Portugal's dominance.
Yet, Italy rarely threatened to restore parity and Portugal secured a deserved victory.
48' GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Italy (Andre Silva)
Line-ups
Portugal XI: Pepe, Rui Patrício, Pizzi, Mário Rui, Bruma, William Carvalho, Cancelo, André Silva, Rúben Neves, Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva
Subs: Beto, Neto, Sérgio Oliveira, Cláudio Ramos, Cédric Soares, Mendes, Gelson Martins, Gonçalo Guedes, Bruno Fernandes, R.Sanches, Gedson Fernandes
Italy XI: D. Criscito, Bonaventura, Immobile, Zaza, Jorginho, B. Cristante, Romagnoli, Lazzari, Caldara, G. Donnarumma, Chiesa
Subs: Bonucci, Chiellini, S. Sirigu, M. Perin, Insigne, Emerson, Benassi, Belotti, Berardi, Gagliardini, Bernardeschi, Barella