Portugal outclass Brazil in Lisbon

Portugal outclassed Brazil today in Lisbon. The Europeans were 30-10 winners over the South Americans. The match was the first of a two match series between the countries. Both teams are using the series with an eye on preparing for RWC 2023 qualifiers.

Portugal struck early. A superb run from winger Antônio Cortes saw hooker Duarte Diniz going over. The conversion rebounded off the cross-bar. With it Portugal had a 5-0 lead after four minutes.

Brazil had an opportunity to hit back. Center Moisés Duque lined-up a 40 meter attempt. His long range attempt missed. Brazil would be unable to score until the second half.

Portugal’s early score was the only try of the half. The other points came in the 26th minute. Jerónimo Portela landed a 26th minute attempt. With it Os Lobos were 8-0 ahead at half time.

Brazil scored first in the second half; Duque landed a penalty in the 47th minute. It gave Brazil hope, though it also saw Portugal improving their execution.

David Costa matched his front-row partner by scoring. He barged over from 7 meters out to receive a heroes welcome from the replacements. Portela’s conversion attempt was wide.

Portugal then rapidly went from 10 points ahead to 27. First Manuel Cardoso Pinto broke from fullback. Center Tomás Appleton provided support before Nuno Guedes rounded off the try just moments after entering the game.

Soon after Portugal scored from an attacking maul. Winger Raffaele Storti danced through the Brazilian defense next, linking with João Belo who put Thibault de Freitas into space for the try.

Brazil fought back to score a late try. André Arruda controlled a maul from which Matheus Claudio scored. Josh Reeves converted to compete the scoring at 30-10.

Portugal’s big win did suffer from goal-kicking inaccuracy. Portela had a poor game from the tee with four misses. Os Lobos’ one conversion was kicked by replacement João Maria Lima. Game two of the series will take place next Saturday.

 

SCORING

PORTUGAL 30
Tries – D. Diniz (4’), D. Costa (54’), N. Guedes (57’), R. Simoes (65’), T. de Freitas (69’)
Cons – J. Portela 0/3, J. Lima 1/2 (70’)
Pens – J. Portela 1/2 (26’)

BRAZIL 10
Tries – M. Claudio (74’)
Cons – J. Reeves 1/1 (75’)
Pens – M. Duque 1/2 (48’)
Yellow cards – C. Dias (51’)

 

TEAMS

PORTUGAL
1 David Costa (16 Hugo Mendes 66’), 2 Duarte Diniz (17 Nuno Mascarenhas 50’), 3 Diogo Ferreira (18 Bruno Rocha 50’), 4 José Madeira, 5 Rafael Simões (19 Duarte Torgal 66’), 6 Valentin Ambrósio (20 Manuel Picão 66’), 7 David Wallis, 8 Thibault de Freitas, 9 João Belo (23 Pedro Lucas 70’), 10 Jerónimo Portela (22 João Maria Lima 64’), 11 António Cortes (21 Nuno Guedes 55’), 12 Tomás Appleton (capt.), 13 José Lima, 14 Raffaele Storti, 15 Manuel Cardoso Pinto

BRAZIL
1 Lucas Abud (16 Caíque Silva 64’), 2 Endy Willian (17 Yan Rosetti 59’), 3 Wilton Rebolo (18 Matheus Rocha 70’), 4 Gabriel Paganini (19 Michael Moraes 73’), 5 Cléber Dias, 6 Adrio de Melo (20 Rafael Teixeira 64’), 7 Matheus Claudio, 8 André Arruda, 9 Douglas Rauth (21 Felipe Cunha 70’), 10 Lucas Spago (22 Josh Reeves 59’), 11 Daniel Lima (23 Laurent Bourda-Couhet 67’), 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery (capt.), 14 Robert Tenório, 15 Daniel Sancery

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Alexandru Ionescu (Romania)
Assistants: Vlad Iordachescu (Romania) & Radu Petrescu (Romania)