Midfielder Bruno Fernandes scored the only goal in the first half to help Portugal win 1-0 at main rival Slovakia, a result that helped his team maintain a perfect record after 5 matches and firmly at the top of Group J.Bruno Fernandes scored the only goal to help Portugal win 1-0 in Slovakia.

Portugal did not have a good start against host Slovakia. The team ranked second in the group had two good opportunities in the first 15 minutes thanks to striker Robert Polievka and winger Lukas Haraslin. But Fernandes’ low shot in the 43rd minute beat goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, and the Man.United midfielder also marked his 29th birthday with his third goal in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Cristiano Ronaldo, making his 201st appearance for Portugal at the age of 38, was unable to score against Slovakia as he did in 2005 in a World Cup qualifier. Even Ronaldo’s disappointing day was “embellished” with a yellow card in the 62nd minute. The striker also missed another good opportunity in the 75th minute. Record of 850 career goals, and 123 international level table, remains in place at least until welcoming Luxembourg on Monday.

Bruno Fernandes celebrated his 29th birthday with his third goal in Euro 2024 qualifying.

But with Fernandes’ good performance, Portugal played better in the second half, dominating possession and looking to widen the score gap, while Slovakia was quite surprised with their approach as if to keep 1 goal difference. In the end, coach Roberto Martinez’s team won 15 points after 5 wins, without even conceding a goal, thereby widening the gap to 5 points compared to second-place team Slovakia. The two teams will meet again on October 13 in the return leg in Porto.

Luxembourg continued its exciting transformation by winning 3-1 against Iceland. The third victory after 5 matches (remaining 1 draw, 1 loss) helped this team get 10 points, equal to Slovakia but poor in difference. In the remaining developments of the group, Bosnia and Herzegovina revived hope when they won the 6th point after 5 matches after defeating bottom team Liechtenstein 2-1.

In Group D , Bruno Petkovic scored twice to help Croatia win 5-0 against Latvia and rise to 2nd place. The 2022 World Cup bronze medalist team continues to have good news when top team Turkey needs help. Bertug Yildirim’s 88th minute goal secured a 1-1 draw with Armenia. Thus, although Turkey still leads the group with 10 points after 5 matches, Croatia now has 7 points and still plays 2 fewer matches. Ranked 3rd, Armenia also has 7 points after 4 matches, while Wales has 4 points after 4 matches.