With Euro 2024 qualification already secured, Portugal were happy to pour on the pressure against Group J bottom-feeders Liechtenstein and bide their time for a goal.
It took them longer than they’d have liked after a wasteful first half, but Cristiano Ronaldo made sure to eliminate any anxiety shortly thereafter as he put the visitors through in Vaduz, opening the scoring 47 minutes in en route to a 2-0 victory.
Joao Cancelo, whose Man of the Match performance deserved profit, picked up their second after a mistake from Liechtenstein goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel, who otherwise had a wonderful performance in net. Cancelo was Portugal’s best player throughout, creating multiple chances, most of which were wasted.
After bad first-half misses from Ruben Neves and Goncalo Ramos, Ronaldo showed his intent just 20 seconds into the second half as he struck the post, and moments later he provided the moment of quality that had to that point been missing.
Ramos, who missed multiple headers, seemed to have worked Portugal a third, but his clunky goal ruled out by VAR for offside on a teammate judged to have interfered. Overall, it was a comprehensive performance from Portugal who were not punished further for allowing a catalog of chances go begging.
The Sporting News followed the Liechtenstein vs Portugal match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.
MORE: All of Cristiano Ronaldo's goals this season for Al Nassr
Liechtenstein vs Portugal final score
| Score | Goal scorers | |
| Liechtenstein | 0 | — |
| Portugal | 2 | Ronaldo (47'), Cancelo (57') |
Starting lineups:
Liechtenstein (5-3-2, right to left): 1. B. Buchel (GK) — 22. Beck (Kranz, 65'), 6. Malin, 10. Wieser, 4. Traber, 3. Goppel — 17. Luchinger (Meier, 46'), 7. M. Buchel, 8. Sele — 18. Hasler (Ospelt, 65'), 11. Salanovic (Marxer, 90').
Portugal (3-4-3, right to left): 12. Sa (GK) — 20. Cancelo (J. Neves, 87'), 3. A.Silva, 2. T. Gomes — 10. B. Silva (Horta, 60'), 18. Neves, 8. B. Fernandes (Vitinha, 67'), 21. D. Jota — 9. Ramos, 7. Ronaldo (Bruma, 67'), 11. J.Felix (Mario, 87').
MORE: Watch the 2023/24 Champions League on Paramount+
Liechtenstein vs Portugal live updates, highlights
Liechtenstein vs Portugal: Second Half
90+5 min: A yellow card is shown to Diogo Jota for an ugly tackle on Andreas Malin. The end of the match has been of little interest, as the full-time whistle is sure to come soon.
90th min: Off comes Dennis Salanovic, who has put in a good shift despite not currently being contracted to a club. He's replaced by Martin Marxer. Seven minutes of added time are shown, with both sides having used all their available substitutes.
87th min: In the aftermath of the lengthy VAR review, Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo are replaced by Roberto Martinez, with Joao Neves and Joao Mario coming on. Yes, that's Joao and Joao to replace Joao and Joao.
82nd min: Chance, Portugal! What a wacky set-piece goal, but it's in the net and that's all that matters! Vitinha's lateral free-kick is wonderful, fed right on the doorstep, and while the initial effort off Goncalo Ramos's head is saved exceptionally well by Benjamin Buchel, the rebound inadvertently comes off the thigh of Ramos and into the net! Ramos knew nothing about it, but it's a third for Portugal no matter!
Well...hold on now here, there's a lengthy VAR check, which appears to be for offside. Goncalo Ramos was on, but Antonio Silva is just leaning just over the threshold, and the referee determines he was interfering with play! The goal is chalked off after a review at the monitor!
79th min: Portugal are continuing to pour on pressure as this match fades, and Joao Felix fires a cut shot not far wide of the far post. Bruma has been bright since coming on to replace Ronaldo.
Watch in USA:
77th min: More substitutions, with Liechtenstein bringing on Jens Hofer to replace Aron Sele, who looks exhausted.
Portugal's sixth corner of the match follows the change, and Goncalo Ramos puts another header wide.
71st min: Chance, Portugal! The ball is in the net for a third, but the offside flag is up so it won't count. It's a stunning delivery from Joao Cancelo, who continues to provide exceptional service, but Joao Felix is just a hair early with his run.
Replay shows that while Felix was well on for his initial move, he's too deep once Diogo Jota got a tiny touch with his outstretched foot before the would-be goalscorer got to the ball at the far post.
67th min: A double change for Portugal, as Cristiano Ronaldo is protected, receiving a huge ovation, while Bruno Fernandes is also withdrawn alongside him. Braga winger Bruma enters for Ronaldo, while PSG midfielder Vitinha comes on as well.
61st min: Chance, Liechtenstein! EXCELLENT SAVE JOSE SA TO PRESERVE THE CLEAN SHEET! The hosts won't get a better chance to find a consolation goal as Dennis Salanovic finds himself clean through on goal, being chased from the halfway line with nobody but the goalkeeper to beat. His final touch is just a hair too heavy, and it allows Sa to come off his line and smother the chance.
Two more changes for Liechtenstein, as Philipp Ospelt and Liam Kranz replace Nicholas Beck and Julien Hasler. Kranz, a 20-year-old, is making his international debut.
Sa gets enough of the ball to stop the shot, and Ruben Neves can get the ball clear. What a missed opportunity to get a goal back and put some pressure on Portugal!
59th min: Cristiano Ronaldo puts it well over after being found from a Joao Cancelo cutback. It's a tough chance for Ronaldo to finish as the ball was behind him and he was challenged well by a defender.
Ricardo Horta will enter for Portugal, replacing Bernardo Silva.
57th min: GOAL! PORTUGAL! Oh dear, what a horrible error by Benjamin Buchel, coming all the way out of the penalty area along the end line and completely whiffing. That leaves Joao Cancelo with an empty net to finish in, and he does so despite the tight angle and defender to navigate around.
It's an awful mistake from the Liechtenstein goalkeeper, but it's nothing short of deserved for Cancelo who's had a truly wonderful match for Portugal.
55th min: Cristiano Ronaldo is fed through on goal, and his first touch is exceptional to split two defenders and round the goalkeeper, but his second touch takes him too deep towards the end line and he's marshaled out of possession by Andreas Malin.
Portugal appear energised by the opening goal, and they have poured on the pressure even more than they had before.
47th min: GOAL! PORTUGAL! Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't miss this time, as he roofs his 128th international goal! Diogo Jota's vertical ball feeds him into a tight-angle look, and he beats Sandro Wieser to the delivery for a powerful finish, which is what Portugal had been missing!
It marks Ronaldo's 10th goal of this Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, which has him atop the competition's table.
Watch in USA:
Watch in UK:
46th min: Chance, Portugal! CRISTIANO RONALDO HITS THE POST 20 SECONDS OUT OF HALFTIME! He looks to redirect a cross from the right but pings it off the woodwork.
Kickoff: The only change of the halftime break sees hosts Liechtenstein swap out midfielders, with the booked Simon Luchinger brought off in favor of Livio Meier.
HALFTIME: Liechtenstein 0-0 Portugal
Just as you'd expect, Liechtenstein have been exceedingly defensive against the world's sixth-ranked side, but they've held strong through the first 45 minutes with the game scoreless.
Portugal poured on the pressure, but they were unable to create a load of chances, and the few they did have were wasted poorly. Ruben Neves and Goncalo Ramos had the best two looks for the visitors, but on the first Benjamin Buchel produces his best of many saves, while Ramos disappointingly put his header wide.
A really strong defensive performance for Liechtenstein, but if Joao Cancelo is allowed to continue cooking in the second half, he will eventually will Portugal into the lead, you would expect.
Liechtenstein vs Portugal: First Half
45+5 min: Chance, Portugal! The final kick of the first half nearly finds the net, but they clear it off the line! Cristiano Ronaldo is clean through on goal from a tight angle, but Benjamin Buchel makes the initial save extremely well! He pushed it to his left and not far enough to get it clear of danger, but a defender comes across to meet it first and lump it clear, which draws the halftime whistle!
45+3 min: Chance, Portugal! Joao Cancelo again goes meandering through defenders, leaving multiple Liechtenstein players in his wake, and with his shot eventually closed down at the top of the penalty area, he feeds it to Cristiano Ronaldo shaded just to his left, but his shot is straight at the goalkeeper, who goes down to make the stop.
45+2 min: With Portugal getting frustrated up front, Cristiano Ronaldo goes for the spectacular, but puts his bicycle kick well wide. He made good contact on the horizontal delivery but couldn't get it directed on frame.
Watch in USA:
43rd min: Portugal have just their second shot on target as Bruno Fernandes takes a curler from a free-kick, but it's right into the waiting arms of Benjamin Buchel who had no trouble whatsoever with that. The final product from Portugal has been miserable today, even as the rest of their game has been sensational.
38th min: Another glorious buildup from Portugal deserves better, as Cristiano Ronaldo produces a lovely flick to spring Diogo Jota, but the Liverpool man's through-ball to Goncalo Ramos on the final move is just inches to deep and the goalkeeper does well to come off his line and snatch it.
35th min: The referee has had enough of Liechtenstein goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel wasting time on goal kicks, and gives the FC Vaduz veteran a final warning, saying a booking will be next if they have to have another chat.
30th min: Chance, Portugal! Goncalo Ramos misses with a free header on the doorstep! Joao Cancelo, who's been exceptional today so far, puts it on a platter for the PSG man, but Ramos puts it wide. What a terrible miss for Portugal to get the all-important opener! It lets down a wonderful buildup with Cancelo and Bernardo Silva heavily involved.
Watch in USA:
28th min: Cristiano Ronaldo is fed through nicely by Joao Cancelo up the middle, but the Al Nassr star has his tame shot saved by the goalkeeper easily, and he was offside anyways, nullifying the chance.
24th min: Diogo Jota is scythed down by Simon Luchinger about seven yards from the top of the penalty area, and earns a yellow card for his efforts. That will see Luchinger suspended for Liechtenstein's final match of Euro qualifying against Luxembourg. Cristiano Ronaldo has his free-kick blocked by the wall.
22nd min: The Liechtenstein goalkeeper gets away with a blunder, as he leaps high in the air to collect a Bruno Fernandes cross but spills it as he falls to the turf. Cristiano Ronaldo has a hit on goal in the aftermath, but it's blocked, which was necessary as the goalkeeper had yet to get up and recover.
21st min: Liechtenstein have been completely bunkered, and Portugal just cannot find a way through the trees. The visitors have been out-passed 172-20 so far, but have conceded just five shots, and just two inside the box.
A cross from Joao Cancelo is headed away very well by the home defensive unit.
13th min: Chance, Portugal! The visitors have a free-kick just outside the penalty area off to the right, which Cristiano Ronaldo takes and puts on goal, but it's pushed away well by goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel. It's recycled by Portugal and Ruben Neves has a hit from a good distance, and Buchel makes an outstanding save! The Liechtenstein goalkeeper was wrong-footed but managed to correct his body direction and make an exceptional stop!
Yet now there's a real problem for the hosts as the goalkeeper is injured and requires treatment. He appears to be in some pain, holding his shoulder. He continues after receiving treatment, which is good news for Liechtenstein as he just made a very impressive save and looks up for today's challenge.
Watch in USA:
11th min: For all their attacking pressure, it takes longer than expected for Portugal's first shot as Joao Cancelo goes weaving around defenders at the top of the penalty area, but as he takes a shot with the outside of his foot, the effort is blocked out for a corner.
7th min: Liechtenstein register the first "shot" of the match as Julien Hasler takes aim from his own half and it goes well wide. If that's the best they can muster, it will be a very long 90 minutes for the hosts.
4th min: Bruno Fernandes whips in a very quality cross from the right flank, but it evades a number of Portugal attacking players. It's been all Portugal so far, and you imagine it'll remain that way throughout.
Kickoff: We're under way from Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz, Liechtenstein!
Liechtenstein vs Portugal: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more
15 mins before kickoff: There's nothing riding on this match, as Portugal have already secured qualification and Liechtenstein have already been eliminated from contention. In fact, Portugal have already confirmed the top spot in the group, as they cannot be caught by second-place Slovakia over the final two matches.
Thus, it's surprising to see how many regulars have been deployed by head coach Roberto Martinez, as he could use this opportunity to test out some youngsters. One player he could look to get going is Goncalo Ramos, who gets the nod despite the fact he's struggling at new club PSG. Ramos needs the boost as there are reports of PSG head coach Luis Enrique demoting him behind Randal Kolo Muani in the depth chart.
30 mins before kickoff: Cristiano Ronaldo has faced Liechtenstein three times previously, and after failing to find the net in his first two chances, he picked up a brace earlier this year in the reverse fixture from this Euro qualifying cycle, giving him two goals and two assists against today's opponent across his illustrious career.
45 mins before kickoff: That is an outrageously attacking lineup from Roberto Martinez. He clearly wants goals, goals, goals, with Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota essentially deployed as pushed-up wing-backs and Cristiano Ronaldo joined in attack by Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix. It could make for entertaining viewing!
1 hour before kickoff: Here's the Portugal XI confirmed: Sa; Cancelo, Antonio Silva, T. Gomes; Bernardo Silva, Neves, Fernandes, Diogo Jota, Ramos, Ronaldo, Joao Felix
And your Liechtenstein XI confirmed, too: Benjamin; Malin, Wieser, Traber; Beck, Luchinger, Buchel, Sele, Goppel; Hasler, Salanovic.
1 hour 20 mins before kick: Manchester City's Matheus Nunes has failed a fitness test before this one and will not be involved for Portugal. His injury means he's not travelled with the side. Official team news landing shortly.
1 hour 45 mins before kick: Portugal come here as red-hot favourites, and we'll find out how strong their lineup is shortly. It looks like the squad have enjoyed a little trip around the Alps ahead of today's game in Liechtenstein, which is a tiny nation sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland.
2 hours before kickoff: Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Liechtenstein versus Portugal in this Euro 2024 qualifier. It's already job done for Roberto Martinez's side in terms of qualification for next summer's finals, and they're overwhelming favourites to maintain their perfect winning record in this game.
Can Cristiano Ronaldo extend his scoring record in another landslide Portugal win? You wouldn't bet against it, really. Where Portugal have won every single game they've played in Group J, Liechtenstein have lost every single one. Stay tuned for more buildup and all the match updates.
Liechtenstein vs Portugal lineups, team news
The hosts are likely to stick with their strongest lineup in an attempt to squeeze anything they can possibly get out of this match. It would be a historic night for the Blue-Reds if they were to even snatch a point against the dominant Seleção.
- Liechtenstein confirmed (5-3-2, right to left): Benjamin (GK) — Beck, Malin, Wieser, Traber, Goppel — Luchinger, Buchel, Sele — Hasler, Salanovic.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be keen to add to a tally of nine goals in qualification as he gets another start for Martinez's side in a star-studded frontline. There's no shortage of talent around Ronaldo either, with Manchester City's duo Bernardo Silva well as Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes in a very attacking lineup picked by Roberto Martinez.
- Portugal (3-4-3, right to left): Sa (GK) — Cancelo, A.Silva, T. Gomes — B.Silva, Neves, Fernandes, D. Jota — Ramos, Ronaldo, J.Felix
Liechtenstein vs Portugal live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Fox Sports 2 | Fox Sports App, VIX |
| UK | — | Viaplay Sports |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| Hong Kong | — | — |
| India | — | — |
| Malaysia | — | — |
| New Zealand | — | — |
| Singapore | — |
— |