International Friendly 2016: Portugal vs Estonia

Portugal have laid down the marker here, a completely different side from the one we say in Wembley last week. An experienced back-line, a brilliant midfield and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo in the attack. The Portuguese supporters are alloweed to dream.

90': Nothing added on, Estonia players will be breathing a sigh of relief.

89': Renato Sanches into the act again, he holds off two players before turning and driving into the box, before passing to Eder, the pass was cut out, Nani though gets the ball back and takes a shot at goal, just over the cross-bar.

85': What an effort by Puri, he lets fly from 40 yards, just narrowly wide of the top right-hand corner. Rui Patrico wasn't getting there if that was on target.

81': Portugal aren't showing mercy here, they are relentless pouring men forward, Andre Gomes with the shot, saved by Londak.

80': The Goals keep coming. Eder now, Portugal work the corner to Andre Gomes who picks Eder in the box, who finishes emphatically. It's all becoming a bit embarrassing for Estonia now.

76': Ricardo Quaresma scores his second GOAL! Renato Sanches picks up the ball takes on one player, holds off another and passes it to Quaresma, who hits it first time to the far corner. What a game he is having.

72': All the substitutions has taken the sting of the game, but Portugal still attacking with verve and creativity.

Anier is taken off for Vassiljev.

Portugal taking off Pereira for William Carvalho.

67': Renato Sanches has shown some really nice touches since he has come in. Bayern Munich have a great player in their hands.

Two substiutions in two minutes for Estonia. Dmitrijev off for Sappinen and Kruglov off for Marin.

61': Another GOAL! Another brilliant ball in by Quaresma, the Estonia Goalkeeper Londak parries the ball to Mets and it ricochets into the back of the net.

Eder, Sanches and Ricardo Carvalho in for Mario, Moutinho and Pepe respectively.

55': GOAL! GOAL! Fourth goal for Portugal. Excellent delivery from the corner by Quaresma from the corner and an unmarked Perriera heads in from 6 yeards for his first goal in Portugal's colours.

51': Verinha with a pile-driver of a volley, which goes narrowly wide. Both the substitutes for Portugal have been heavily involved already.

49': Quaresma is just showing off now. He collects a pass towards the right side of the box, cuts in, and instead of using his left foot, tries a rabona to the far corner, goes narrowly wide.

47': Chance for Estonia. A freekick from the left was completely missed by Patricio and with the goal gaping Puri could only hit the cross-bar, the ball goes out for a corner.

Ronaldo and Cedric has gone off for Nani and Verinha.

The Portuguese have run away with the game since the first goal. Cristiano Ronaldo did what he does best, score goals. It will be damage limitation for Estonia in the second half.

45': Cristiano Ronaldo. The ball breaks for Portugal, Mario picks up the ball and plays a one-two with Mario, who squares it for Ronaldo and finishes it off. Third GOAL for Portugal.

40': Quaresma with a clash of head with Mets, thankfully though for Portugal, he looks to be okay. He has been brilliant for the game.

38': Another GOAL. Ricardo Quaresma this time, he tries to cross the ball to the back post with the inside of his foot this time, the ball bends into the far corner.

32': GOAL! Brilliant Goal by Portugal, Quaresma picks up the ball on the left and bends in a cross with the outside of his right foot, onto the head of CR7 who obliges and heads the ball into the roof of the net.

32': What a chance for Cristiano Ronaldo. Estonia corner led to a Portugal counter attack, the ball beautifully worked to Ronaldo who raced ahead of the Estonia defence, his left footed shot easily parried away by Londak, who collected the ball into his hands after Guerriero's rebound.

27': Guerriero with a beautiful cross towards Cristiano Ronaldo, cleared brilliantly by Klavan.

23': The fullbacks have pushed on for Portugal, Cedric on the right and Guerriero on the left. Moutinho tries to find Guerriero on the left with a dinked through ball, just beyond his reach.

19': Anier picks up the ball near the half-way line and tries to beat Pepe for pace, Pepe reaches the ball before and smothers the danger.

18': Mario and Gomes has changed sides, Gomes picks up the ball and tries to feed the ball to Quaresma who tries to run off the Estonia defence, well defended and cleared by Baranov.

13': Gomes nicks the ball off Puri, and passes it to Ronaldo, he nutmegs a retreating Tensite and lays the ball off to Guerriero, his cross is in no man's land though.

11': It's Estonia's turn to get some possession, and they have done so quite comfortably in their own half, but the Portuguese start to press as the Estonians try to make forays into their half.

9': Corner for Portugal, Quaresma takes it short and gets it back from Moutinho, he tries a rabona to cross the ball, cleared away.

6': The pattern for the game has been set, Portugal keeping most of the ball, and Estonia trying to hit them in the break.

3': The Portuguese have started the game on the front foot, Andre Gomes seems to playing on the left and Quaresma on the right. Ronaldo through the middle, and Moutinho just behind him.

The players are on the pitch, the formalities of the national anthems are done. Portugal kick off in their traditional red and green kit.

CONFIRMED LINEUPS PORTUGAL vs ESTONIA

ESTONIA XI: Londak; Kallaste, Kruglov, Mets, Klavan; Baranov, Dmitrijev, Antonov; Tensite, Puri, Anier.

PORTUGAL XI: Patricio; Soares, Pepe, Fonte, Gurrier; Periera, Gomes; Mario,Moutinho; Quaresma, Ronaldo;

Portugal vs Estonia Live Stream:
The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:45 p.m local time (2:45 p.m. EST, 12:15 a.m. IST). No live TV coverage in India and UK.

US, viewers can catch the game on beIN Sports, online streaming will be available on beIN Sports connect.

Portugal viewers can watch the game on TVI.

PORTUGAL VS ESTONIA - RONALDO’S LATEST SOLO CONQUEST SET TO BEGIN

Wednesday’s matchup between Portugal and Estonia will be the last friendly fixture for Portugal before the onset of Euro 2016. Estonia failed in their bid to qualify and will instead focus on blooding youngsters for their world cup qualifying fixtures. Portugal in recent times have been there or thereabouts on the international stage and have made the semis of the European championships four times. However, even their golden generation led by Luis Figo and Rui Costa failed to cross the final hurdle. The most painful memory for all Portugal fans must be the final of Euro 2004 where they lost to a spirited and disciplined Greek unit who defied all odds and emerged champions. Cut to today, and the fate of the Portuguese national team largely hinges on the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid ace has been carrying the team almost singlehandedly for the past few years, and it is Ronaldo’s heroics that has managed to make an otherwise extremely average unit a force to be reckoned with. But at 31 years of age, despite his fitness and build, he will know that age is not on his side.

FORM GUIDE:

Portugal: LWWLW

Portugal have been in erratic form of late, with losses against England and Bulgaria amidst victories against Norway, Luxembourg and Belgium.

Estonia: DWLLD

Estonia have not enjoyed the best of run-ins coming into this game, having secured victory in only one of their previous five fixtures, against lowly Andorra. Draws against Latvia and Norway and defeats against Serbia and Lithuania will not leave Estonian fans very hopeful of a result in their favour tonight.

Portugal vs Estonia Probable Starting lineups:

Portugal (4-3-3): Rui Patricio – Eliseu, Pepe, Carvalho, Vieirinha – Renato Sanchez, Moutinho, Pereira – Nani, Silva, Ronaldo. Estonia (4-4-2): Londak – Tamm, Baranov, Klavan, Teniste – Mets – Kallaste, Vassiljev, Antonov, Sappinen – Anier.

Portugal vs Estonia H2H (HEAD TO HEAD):

Portugal and Estonia have played each other 7 times, with the Portuguese having won six times and one match ended in a draw.