National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Antero Linhares showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Amedeo Mascia, who was totally free with the ball in the 5th minute. 7 minutes into the match, U21 Portugal's goal looked a bit too open when Amedeo Mascia came free, but Antero Linhares reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ivaylo Yordanov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 9th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Antero Linhares showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Amedeo Mascia, who was totally free with the ball in the 11th minute. In the 12th minute, Normando Macena hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. U21 Portugal's Antero Linhares played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Frank Scarcella in the 20th minute of play. 21 minutes into the game, U21 Italy's Amedeo Mascia nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Antero Linhares made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. U21 Portugal's Antero Linhares played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Amedeo Mascia in the 26th minute of play. The supporters of U21 Italy booed when U21 Portugal was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 28 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jordão Vasques didn't get a good kick on the ball. A collision led to U21 Italy getting a freekick after 29 minutes play. Frank Scarcella hit a great ball. In the 31st minute, U21 Portugal's Ivaylo Yordanov ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Alessio Scannella. Alessio Scannella yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-1. In the 34th minute Amedeo Mascia shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Antero Linhares saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 44 minutes, Amedeo Mascia made it 2-2 with a short kick to the right side. U21 Portugal's Antero Linhares tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. U21 Portugal made a substitution. Fernando Couto replaced Adam George.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Frank Scarcella was the one to do the kick off. In the last second Antero Linhares throw himself and got hold of the ball when Amedeo Mascia in the 57thth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. U21 Portugal's Antero Linhares played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Amedeo Mascia in the 60th minute of play. 62 minutes into the match, U21 Italy's goal looked a bit too open when Ivaylo Yordanov came free, but Alessio Scannella reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alessio Scannella showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ivaylo Yordanov in the 63rd minute of the match. Ivaylo Yordanov recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 65th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. U21 Italy's Achille Santilli was substituted for Frank Scarcella. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ivaylo Yordanov in the 68th minute of play forced U21 Italy's goalkeeper Alessio Scannella to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Alessio Scannella came out of the goal in the 73rd minute to try and stop a shot by U21 Portugal's Ivaylo Yordanov. But to his dismay, Ivaylo Yordanov quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-3. Through an outstanding action, after 78 minutes, Antero Linhares successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. U21 Portugal's Antero Linhares proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 80th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Portugal from getting a goal against them. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Derman Crétin in the 81st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Antero Linhares saved U21 Portugal from getting behind. When Achille Santilli came up free with the goalie in the 84th minute, the U21 Italy fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Achille Santilli couldn't finish the play. U21 Portugal made a substitution. Ricardo Vasques replaced Moisés Álvares. In the 88thth minute of the game Derman Crétin who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but U21 Portugal's Antero Linhares was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 90th minute the ball was on its way in behind U21 Italy's goalkeeper Alessio Scannella, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Xavier Carvalhal in the 93rd minute of play forced U21 Italy's goalkeeper Alessio Scannella to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Both teams had looked equal from kick-off, and no-one was surprised when the match finally ended in a draw.