Without Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal destroys Sweden 5-2 in a friendly

Portugal defeated Sweden 5-2 at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques in Guimaraes, Portugal. The game was a friendly match ahead of the 2024 Euros this summer in Germany. Cristiano Ronaldo was not in the squad as he was spending time with his family in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo is expected to join the squad after this game. Portugal has a second friendly to play next Tuesday against Slovenia, and Ronaldo could potentially start in that friendly match.

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Sweden almost scored in the first two minutes as Isak made a run from the right side, and his cutback was clipped by Ruben Dias, who had the ball drifting past the far post. Portugal, from there, took control and generated chances. The opener finally arrived in the 24th minute as Rafael Leao blasted the ball into the top right corner. Bernardo Silva had a curling shot from the right side that was headed towards the left corner. The ball hits the post and falls to Leao. Leao takes a touch and unleashes the powerful shot.

In the 33rd minute, Portugal scored their second goal of the night. Bernardo Silva sets a great pass to Matheus Nunes, who dribbles to the box and sends the ball into the bottom left corner past Olsen. Just before halftime, Nelson Semedo runs for the ball on the right side and beats Elanga. He waits for support and then sends a great pass in the box to Bruno Fernandes, who taps the ball into the net from close range to make it 3-0.

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Portugal continues to score in the second half

In the 57th minute, substitute Bruma easily scored Portugal's 4th goal of the night. Bruno Fernandes steals the ball in the midfield, and Sweden's keeper emerges. Fernandes plays a great pass to Bruma, who passes the ball into the empty net. Sweden scored a goal a minute later as Emil Holm's low cross was pushed into the net by Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.

In the 61st minute, Portugal strikes again as Nelson Semedo gets his second assist of the night and sends a great ball in the box to Goncalo Ramos, who sends the ball into the bottom corner past Olsen to make it 5-1. In the last minute of the game, Sweden scored their second goal as Dejan Kulusevski cut inside and delivered a high cross to Gustaf Nilsson, who headed the ball into the net past Rui Patricio.