Ball after ball is lumped into the Andorra penalty area, but the minnows are just about managing to hold on. With the clock ticking down, Portugal push plenty of players forward in search of one last goal, but they're unable to do so and it looks as if they'll have to settle for a 6-0 victory.
90' +1
Great run by Rodriguez! The Andorra winger breaks away on a rare foray into the Portugal half of the pitch, and he does wonderfully well to skip through a sea of red shirts before being brought down by a lazy challenge from Ronaldo 25 yards away from the hosts' goal. Pujol steps up and curls a decent shot towards the bottom left-hand corner of the net, but Patricio gets down well to stop it from finding the back of the net. That was Andorra's first shot on target.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
89'
Portugal win themselves a corner over on the right flank, which is sent to Bernardo Silva on the edge of the penalty area. The winger immediately unleashes a curling strike that looks set to find the back of the net, but Lima does well to throw his body in the way to stop it from doing so.
88'
What an opportunity for Antunes! Portugal keep piling pressure on Andorra before a thumping cross is sent over to the far post. It finds Antunes in a great position in front of goal, but he's unable to send his close-range header on target and instead ends up watching sail wide of the goal.
86'
André Silva has scored a goal for Portugal!
GOAL! Andre Silva makes it 6-0! Quaresma steps up and fires a strike from the free-kick that Josep Gomes can only parry into the path of Andre Silva, and the striker then pokes a shot off the outstretched leg of an Andorra player and into the back of the net for his first international goal.
85'
Ildefons Lima gets yellow.
Lima charges into the back of Andre Silva and catches the forward from behind with a high knee, and Portugal are awarded a free-kick marginally outside of the penalty area. Ronaldo looks hungry to extend his excellent goalscoring tally.
83'
Portugal keep pushing forward and putting Andorra under plenty of pressure as they try to find a sixth goal, but the visitors have every available player back and are just about able to keep the determined home side at bay. Will they be able to hold on for the remaining seven minutes though?
81'
Quaresma almost makes it 6-0! A curling cross is just about punched away by Josep Gomes, but only as far as Quaresma. The winger takes two quick touches and skips past the onrushing goalkeeper before unleashing a shot, but three Andorra players are there to block the strike as they just about manage to hold on.
79'
Yet another chance for Andre Silva! Ronaldo cuts inside from the right wing and floats a wonderful cross into the middle of the penalty area, where it finds Andre Silva. Again, the striker meets the ball well in front of goal, but his glancing header doesn't have enough power behind it and it ends up bouncing comfortably wide of the far post.
Minute
Description
78'
Another outstanding save by Josep Gomes! Portugal break through the middle of the pitch on a wonderful counter-attack before Cancelo is set up over on the right-hand side of the penalty area. He quickly chips a lovely cross into the middle of the box, where it finds Andre Silva completely unmarked, but the forward is denied by a great diving stop from the Andorra goalkeeper.
76'
Victor Moreira enters the game and replaces Cristian Martínez.
Martinez makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Moreira in Andorra's last change of the game.
75'
Lovely save by Josep Gomes! A wonderful Quaresma cross is fired into the heart of the Andorra penalty area, where it finds Bernardo Silva in front of goal, but his first-time header is pushed away by the goalkeeper, who did wonderfully well to get a hand to the winger's bullet effort.
73'
Marc Pujol enters the game and replaces Jordi Aláez.
Meanwhile, Andorra have replaced Alaez with the veteran Puyol.
72'
Gelson Martins enters the game and replaces Pepe.
Portugal have made their final substitution of the night, with Martins coming on to take the place of Pepe.
71'
Ronaldo steps up and unleashes a bouncing shot from the resulting free-kick. It causes Josep Gomes a few problems and the goalkeeper spills the ball momentarily, but he's just about able to collect the ball before a Portugal player can meet it in front of goal.
70'
Marc Rebés goes off after a red card!
RED CARD! Andorra are down to nine men! Rebes cynically kicks out at Ronaldo and catches the Real Madrid man extremely late, and he's immediately shown a straight red for what was an awful challenge by the midfielder. He looks upset with the decision, but he can't have any complaints.
69'
Portugal quickly win the ball back from the restart and Quaresma immediately almost puts Portugal 6-0 up, but he's put under pressure by Lima at the vital moment and ends up running the ball out for a goal-kick after doing well to sprint into the Andorra penalty area.
68'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Portugal! Assist by José Fonte.
Assist José Miguel da Rocha Fonte
GOAL! It's 5-0, and Ronaldo has his fourth goal of the game! A deep cross is thumped over to the far post, where it finds Fonte, and the defender does well to nod the ball down to Ronaldo. The Real Madrid man skips past Lima far too easily before firing a low shot from close range, and it's one that slips under Josep Gomes at the near post and into the back of the net.
66'
João Mário enters the game and replaces André Gomes.
Portugal have made their second change of the game, with Andre Gomes making way for Mario.
65'
Once again, Bernardo Silva plays an important role in a dangerous attacking move from Portugal. He weaves into the penalty area before teeing up Andre Silva, who then attempts to beat Lima, but the veteran defender is just about able to come out on top before clearing the ball back over to the right wing.
64'
Portugal move the ball around nicely as they try to hit Andorra and find a fifth goal. Cancelo picks up possession in a pocket of space over on the right flank and immediately tries to pick out Bernardo Silva with a smart pass into the penalty area, but it's slightly overhit and fails to find the winger.
62'
Jordi Rubio gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
RED CARD! Andorra have been reduced to ten men! Rubio, who has looked frustrated all evening, charges into the back of Ronaldo and catches the Portugal captain extremely late, leaving the referee with no choice but to show him a second yellow card.
60'
A misplaced pass from Martinez can only find a red shirt, and Portugal immediately push forward on another meaningful attacking move. They move the ball around nicely before Quaresma tries to take on Llovera deep down the right flank, but the defender comes out on top before being tripped over by the winger.
58'
Lima upends Ronaldo on the edge of the Andorra penalty area before bringing Ronaldo crashing to the ground with a hefty challenge, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a free-kick to the home side in a very dangerous position. Ronaldo steps up and unleashes a shot from the set-piece, but the wall does its job and sends the ball looping over the top of the crossbar and out for a corner.
56'
Portugal quickly come back through Cancelo, who weaves his way into the penalty area before testing Josep Gomes once again. The full-back's strike is low and well hit, but the goalkeeper is comfortably able to get down quickly enough to deal with it.
55'
A low cross from the left flank penetrates the Andorra penalty area but can only find Lima, who quickly clears the danger. He can only send the ball to Moutinho, however, but the midfielder's curling shot from 25 yards out is parried away by a good diving save from Josep Gomes.
53'
Jordi Rubio gets yellow.
Cancelo cuts inside from the right wing and comfortably beats Rubio before being caught by a flailing arm from the Andorra full-back, and it's a challenge that sends the Valencia man crashing to the ground and results in a yellow card.
52'
Antunes enters the game and replaces Raphaël Guerreiro.
And now Portugal have made their first alteration of the evening, with Antunes coming on to take the place of Guerreiro.
51'
Bernardo Silva almost makes it 5-0! Andorra are all over the place at the back and are unable to clear the danger after being put under plenty of pressure by Portugal, but Bernardo Silva scuffs his shot from the edge of the box and sends it well wide of its intended target.
49'
Moisés San Nicolás enters the game and replaces Marc García.
Andorra have made their first substitution of the game, with Garcia making way for San Nicolas.
48'
Another chance for Ronaldo! A mishit strike from Guerreiro on the edge of the Andorra box flies through the penalty area before finding Ronaldo unmarked in front of goal, but the captain is unable to adjust his feet quickly enough and his side-footed effort ends up rolling just wide of the far post.
47'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Portugal! Assist by André Gomes.
Assist André Filipe Tavares Gomes
GOAL! Ronaldo has his hat-trick! A well-hit corner isn't dealt with by the Andorra defence, allowing Portugal to keep the danger alive. The ball bounces around the penalty area before falling to Ronaldo, who unleashes a thumping strike that beats Josep Gomes with ease before flying into the back of the net.
46'
And we're underway once again!
Early chance for Bernardo Silva! The Portugal winger cuts inside from the left wing and heads towards the penalty area before unleashing a wonderful curling strike, but Josep Gomes is just about able to get a hand to the ball to send it just wide of the far post and out for a corner.
45' +1
Rodriguez and Quaresma tangle as they battle for the ball deep down the left flank, resulting in a free-kick for Portugal in a dangerous position right at the end of the half. This time it's Guerreiro who whips the set-piece into the heart of the penalty area, but Lima is there to clear the danger before the referee brings the opening period to an end.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
João Cancelo has scored a goal for Portugal! Assist by Bernardo Silva.
Assist Bernardo Mota Veiga de Carvalho e Silva
GOAL! Lovely play by Cancelo! The full-back links up brilliantly with Bernardo Silva before flying into the right-hand side of the Andorra penalty area. He sprints towards the near post and then tries to cut the ball back to Andre Silva, but the ball bobbles off his shin and into the back of the net after beating Josep Gomes at the near post.
43'
Andorra are able to push out of their own half of the pitch for one of the first times since the early moments of the game, and it results in them winning a free-kick. Lima thumps it up towards the edge of the penalty area, where several blue and yellow shirts are waiting, but the referee spots some pushing and immediately awards a free-kick to Portugal.
41'
Another chance for Fonte! Once again, Andorra's marking in the middle of the penalty area leaves a lot to be desired and presents Fonte with an opportunity from close range, but this time the centre-back's headed effort is sent straight at Josep Gomes in the middle of the goal.
40'
Quaresma makes another great run into the Andorra penalty area before sending a dangerous cross towards the six-yard box, but Josep Gomes is just about able to get a hand to the ball before Lima blasts the ball out for yet another Portugal corner.
38'
And now Quaresma goes close! Andre Gomes charges through the middle of the pitch on a wonderful, determined run before teeing up with Ronaldo, who then spins and picks out Quaresma, but the Besiktas winger's 20-yard shot is slightly too powerful and ends up sailing over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
36'
What an opportunity for Andre Silva! Quaresma darts into the right-hand side of the box and heads towards the byline before chipping a lovely cross over to Andre Silva, but the striker, who is completely unmarked in front of goal, is unable to hit the target with his close-range header and instead sends it sailing just over the top of the crossbar.
35'
Pepe gets yellow.
Lima ploughs through the Andorra penalty area as he desperately tries to clear the ball, with red shirts falling all around him. He eventually does so before being cynically kicked from behind by Pepe, who becomes the latest player to receive a yellow card as a result.
34'
Chance for Andre Silva! The striker slips through the disjointed Andorra back line and latches on to a lovely through-ball before trying to beat Josep Gomes at the near post, but the goalkeeper does well to rush out and closed down the space available to the forward, resulting in another corner for Portugal.
32'
Another opportunity for Ronaldo! Again, Quaresma beats his marker deep down the right wing before swinging a cross right on to the head of Ronaldo, but the captain's glancing headed effort ends up bouncing just past the far post and beating Josep Gomes.
30'
A plethora of red shirts pile into the Andorra penalty area as they try to find a way through the sea of blue camped in front of them, but, somehow, the visitors are able to throw enough bodies in the way to stop the home side from scoring their third goal of the game.
28'
What a save by Josep Gomes! Quaresma swings an excellent cross into the middle of the Andorra penalty area, where it finds Fonte in an acre of space in front of goal, but the defender's bullet header is pushed over the top of the crossbar by a fantastic stop from the goalkeeper.
27'
Victor Rodríguez gets yellow.
Rodriguez, who has struggled defensively over on the right flank, flies into Ronaldo and catches the winger as they battle for the ball, resulting in a yellow card for the Andorra man and a free-kick for Portugal.
25'
Chance for Ronaldo! A swinging cross from the left wing finds Ronaldo, who immediately unleashes a volleyed strike that hits Andre Silva in front of goal. The forward spins quickly before trying to pick out Quaresma, who is in acres of space over on the right-hand side of the box, but his pass is overhit and fails to find the winger.
23'
Andorra have reverted to four at the back after starting with a five-man defence, as they never looked comfortable playing in such an unfamiliar system. The visitors have put in a far more compact and resolute performance since then, but Portugal are, unsurprisingly, still dominating possession and making life very tough for their opponents.
21'
Quaresma, who is now operating over on the right wing after starting on the left, cuts inside and sends a dangerous cross over to the far post. It's well hit by the Besiktas man, but there's nobody there to meet it and the ball ends up sailing harmlessly out of play for a goal-kick.
19'
What a chance for Ronaldo to wrap up his hat-trick! Cancelo twists and turns as he weaves into the right-hand side of the Andorra box on a wonderful run. He easily beats his marker before chipping a cross over to the far post, but it's slightly behind Ronaldo and he's unable to send his header on target.
17'
A lovely cross-field pass finds Cancelo, who then immediately chips a great cross into the Andorra penalty area. Andre Silva drifts into the right-hand side of the box and charges towards the goal, but, despite his best efforts he's unable to make decent contact with the ball and ends up poking it into the hands of Josep Gomes.
15'
Ronaldo goes down inside the box, but nothing is given! Portugal win themselves another corner that is curled into the heart of the Andorra penalty area. Ronaldo tangles with Vales before crashing to the ground and screaming for a penalty, but the referee isn't interested and waves away his protests.
14'
Quaresma spins past Rubio before being clumsily fouled by the Andorra full-back, and Portugal are awarded another free-kick in an advantageous position over on the left. The winger sends it short to Moutinho, who then plays a clever attempted through-ball towards Andre Silva at the far post, but it's slightly overhit and fails to find the forward.
12'
Andorra are able to push forward on a rare foray towards the Portugal half of the pitch, and they end up winning a free-kick after Rebes is brought down by Moutinho as he tries to break away. It's thumped up the pitch, where it's headed out of play for an Andorra throw-in over on the left wing, and eventually finds its way to Rodriguez, but the winger's shot from the edge of the box sails just a yard or two wide of the far post.
10'
A good run from Andre Silva results in another corner for Portugal, this time over on the right wing. It's sent short before a dangerous cross is thumped into the middle of the penalty area, but Rubio is just about able to deal with the danger after a close-range header from Ronaldo fails to hit the target.
8'
Portugal keep moving the ball around patiently as they try to find a third goal. Ronaldo and Quaresma try to link up just outside of the penalty area before the goalscorer goes down under a challenge from Vales, but the referee doesn't see anything in it and allows play to go on.
6'
Quaresma charges down the left flank once again before being clattered into from behind by Rubio, resulting in a free-kick for Portugal in a very dangerous position. Quaresma steps up and sends a cross over to the edge of the penalty area before linking up with Guerreiro, but the full-back is unable to find a way past Rodriguez.
4'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Portugal! Assist by Ricardo Quaresma.
GOAL! And now it's 2-0! Quaresma breaks down the left wing and swings a lovely cross over to the far post. Andorra's defence fall asleep and allow Ronaldo to break through the middle before latching on to the ball and sending a great downward header past Josep Gomes and into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. The dream start goes on!
That was a wonderful cross from Quaresma, but questions have to be asked of the Andorra defence, who were at sixes and sevens inside the penalty area and left Ronaldo completely unmarked in front of goal.
2'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Portugal!
GOAL! With just 73 seconds on the clock, Portugal are ahead! The hosts immediately push forward from the kick-off and win a corner over on the left flank after Quaresma's cross is deflected out of play. The first quickly results in a second, which is punched out to Ronaldo by Josep Gomes, and the Real Madrid winger is easily able to beat the goalkeeper with an excellent volley into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. What a start!
1'
And we're off! Portugal get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s World Cup 2018 qualifying game between Portugal and Andorra at the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro.
Against Switzerland, Fernando Santos was unable to call on Cristiano Ronaldo, who was still recovering from the thigh injury that saw him leave the field in the Euro 2016 final, and the absence of Portugal’s star man certainly hurt them against a well-organised and talented side. The Real Madrid winger will be back in action this evening, however, giving his team a boost in a game that they absolutely must win.
Full of confidence after this summer’s stunning, not to mention totally surprising, win at Euro 2016, Portugal headed into the World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign with high hopes of topping Group B. Things didn’t get off to a good start, however, as a disappointing and lacklustre performance against Switzerland in their opening game resulted in a 2-0 defeat for the Selecao.
With such a gulf in quality separating the two sides, it’s no surprise that Portugal are the heavy favourites to leave with a win today. The two nations have played one another on three previous occasions, with their last meeting, a 7-1 thrashing in favour of Portugal, coming way back in September 2001 in a qualifying game for the 2002 World Cup.
As for tonight’s opponents, their opening qualifier proved to be an unhappy one too, as they were beaten 1-0 by Latvia in Andorra la Vella. The defeat means that Andorra, who are ranked 203rd in the world, have managed to avoid losing in just one of their previous 22 games, with their last goal from opening play coming from an own-goal in June 2015.
Portugal XI (4-4-2): Patricio; Cancelo, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; Quaresma, Moutinho, Andre Gomes, Bernardo Silva; Andre Silva, Ronaldo.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Fernando Santos has decided to make five changes to the Italy side that started the defeat against Switzerland in their last outing, with Joao Cancelo, Ricardo Quaresma, Andre Gomes, Andre Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo coming into the starting lineup to replace Cedric Soares, William Carvalho, Adrien Silva, Eder and Nani, respectively.
Meanwhile, Andorra boss Koldo has made three alterations to the side that featured against Latvia last month, with Ferran Pol, Ludovic Clemente and Gabi Riera making way for Josep Gomes, Victor Rodriguez and Marc Rebes.
The two sides are making their way out on to the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: PORTUGAL 3-0 ANDORRA
It's safe to say it's been plain sailing for Portugal thus far. The home side have, unsurprisingly, been all over Andorra, with their first two goals coming in the opening 190 seconds of the game. After suffering a terrible start to the evening, the visitors switched to a back four and tightened up slightly, but the hosts continued to dominate the game and head into the half-time break with the victory all but wrapped up.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: PORTUGAL 6-0 ANDORRA
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and brings an end to what was a very comfortable evening for Portugal. The home side started brilliantly and never looked in danger of suffering a shock defeat, as Andorra spent almost all of the game on the back foot frantically trying to keep the determined home side at bay. Ronaldo was in inspired form, and a wonderful performance from the captain guided his side to a morale-boosting victory.
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