In a stunning display of skill, Roberto Martinez's Portugal soared to a 5-2 victory against Sweden in a friendly match gearing up for the European Championships this summer, all without their star striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
The decision to rest Ronaldo, the veteran forward from Real Madrid and Manchester United, proved inconsequential as Portugal effortlessly secured the win in Guimaraes.
Goals flowed freely for the hosts, with Rafael Leao, Matheus Nunes, and Bruno Fernandes all finding the back of the net in the first half. Even without their talismanic leader, Portugal's dominance was evident.
The second half saw no let-up in Portugal's attack, with Bruma and Goncalo Ramos extending the lead, while Sweden managed to claw back with goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Gustaf Nilsson.
Martinez expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, praising their commitment and spirit, but was critical of conceding two goals.
While Sweden, under new coach Jon Dahl Tomasson, struggled to make an impact, Portugal showcased their pedigree as Euro 2016 champions and solidified their status as contenders for this year's title.
The match saw AC Milan's Leao opening the scoring with a brilliant strike, followed by Nunes' clinical finish and Fernandes' close-range effort. The Portuguese side demonstrated their prowess on the counter-attack, with goals flowing from various sources.
Despite the victory, Martinez emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in defensive aspects, as they gear up to face Slovenia in another friendly.
Portugal's Nelson Semedo, one of the standout performers, highlighted the team's determination to refine their game further.
In summary, Portugal's comprehensive victory over Sweden showcased their strength in depth and marked them as a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming European Championships.