With a squad comprised largely of players that led Portugal to glory at the 2016 European U-17 Championship, Portugal has now ridden what’s quickly becoming a golden generation to more international glory, this time at the 2018 European U-19 Championship in Finland. Portugal defeated Italy 4-3 in a madcap final that saw three goals scored in quick succession during the first period of extra time.
Joao Filipe opened the scoring just before halftime for Portugal. The Benfica youngster fired in a low drive after a brilliant piece of control at the top of the box.
Portugal then doubled its advantage in the 72nd minute via Braga youth Francisco Trincao.
However, only four minutes later, Italy were level. First, Juventus phenom Moise Kean pulled one back in the 74th.
Two minutes later, he scored his brace and celebrated a la Mario Balotelli at Euro 2012.
The game went to extra time, where the ebbs and flows of this match really hit the fan. Filipe got his second to give Portugal a 3-2 lead in the 104th minute.
Shortly after, it was 3-3 with Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca finding a quick equalizer.
But we restarted the match and Portugal scored almost immediately.
That’s how it would end. This group of Portuguese talents will now look forward to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.
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