Andre Silva gives Portugal narrow win in Hungary as European champions boost hopes

Andre Silva’s header gave Portugal the win which keeps them in the hunt to top Group B.

They trail Switzerland by three points, but will finish top to qualify for the finals if they win their remaining games in Andorra on October 7 and a home match with the Swiss in Lisbon on October 10.

In the first half, Hungary seemed to have one tactic: introduce elbows to faces. And though Mate Patkai escaped one such incident with a booking, on 30 minutes Tamas Priskin did not, bashing Pepe for a thoroughly earned dismissal.

Shortly after half-time they were made to pay, Portugal putting together one of their few coherent moves of the evening as the ball moved from Joao Moutinho to Joao Mario and out to Cristiano Ronaldo, whose perfect cross was nodded home at the far post.

More or less, Portugal settled for what they had, safe in the knowledge that Hungary could not hurt them.

But then in the final minute of injury-time, they were almost punished, Balázs Dzsudzsák’s free-kick picking out Attila Fiola inside the box, only for him to completely botch his header. Blessedly for all concerned, the final whistle came next.

How will Portugal line up in Russia? It makes plenty of sense: pick as solid a team as possible, and at some point Cristiano Ronaldo will resolve matters. But Bernardo Silva is simply too good to leave out, and there is surely room in the side for one more creative player without hindering the structure.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) Really this should be no one, but on the basis that it's got to be someone, Ronaldo it was who put the ball on a plate for Andre Silva's winner.

Andre Silva has nine goals in 15 appearances for Portugal.

Hungary: Gulasci 6, Fiola 5, Guzmics 5, Kadar 6, Korhut 6, Loverencsics 5, Elek 5, Patkai 5, Dsudzsak 4, Eppel 5, Priskin 4. Subs: Pinter 5, Varga 5, Bode 5.

Portugal: Rui Patricio 6, Fabio Coentrao 6, Pepe 6, Bruno Alves 6, Cedric 6, Gelson Martins 5, Danilo 6, Moutinho 6, Joao Mario 6, Ronaldo 6, Andre Silva 6. Subs: Eliseu 6, Bernardo Silva 6, Quaresma 6.

5’ - Ronaldo gets on the ball at inside-left and veers inside,surveying his passing options. Not really; he unleashes a zetz that Gulasci is relieved to poke over the top. Great effort; the
corner comes to nowt.

7’ - Behind Gulasci's goal, the home fans are bouncing away, and Joao Mario tosses in a cross which Kadar heads behind. this time the corner is cleared to Joao Mario, and Kadar slides in to block behind for another. Moutinho takes it short to Coentrao, takes the return, and whips into the box where Ronaldo stoops in front of his man and guides a fine effort just wide. His eminence is not impressed with his behaviour.

20’ - Moutinho tries to sneak up behind Patkai who espies his arrival, has a look and brings up an elbow, running his man's throat directly into it. Somehow the ref apprises this as a yellow card not a red card. Er, alright, m8.

30’ - RED CARD PRISKIN! He contests a high ball with Pepe - or he's about to - but instead chucks out an elbow and sends yerman directly to the ground. I think he may have tried a subsequent stamp too, but either way, that was very well earned.

48’ - GOAL! Hungary 0-1 Portugal (Andre Silva) Bit of nice one touch stuff down the left, Moutinho and Joao Mario exchanging passes and setting Ronaldo away. His cross, lifted just as the challenge comes in and aimed to the back post, is perfection, and Andre Silva just about sticks his header away, slightly feart of getting nobbled by the defender.

50’ - Immediately, Hungary go down the other end and Loverencsics' cross hits Eppel, ricocheting onto the laces of Patkai, who lashes just wide from 10 yards. Huge chance.

90+3’ - At last! The free-kick! Up comes Gulasci, and Dsudzsak has the ball, 30n yards out, near the right touchline. He curls in a perfect ball! In the middle of the box, Fiola has a free header! But he can only glance a header into the ground, and the ball bounces up for Rui Partricio to snatch easily.