Marcelinho scores only goal as Bulgaria shock Portugal

The 31-year-old struck in the 19th minute as Cristiano Ronaldo and co were given a wake-up call by a team that failed to qualify for Euro 2016.

It wasn't a much-hyped contest as the lowly rated Bulgaria had little fanfare pre-game and left Portugal to be the heavily backed favourites. Unsurprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the game early on and it looked to be something of a one-man show.

Of course Ronaldo’s persistence meant Bulgaria goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov needed to step up too, and he certainly delivered on that front. The 28-year-old Ludogorets Razgrad keeper saved several shots early on in the game to frustrate Ronaldo, and again in the second half. Ronaldo's sense of frustration must surely have been compounded when Stoyanov saved his penalty strike, as well as so many shots, in the second half.

Bulgaria played a compact defensive game that the home side struggled to break through, at times. That said, the Bulgaria side had little else going for them, looking pretty amateurish by comparison on their few attempts in attack.

It will be interesting to see how Bulgaria’s campaign to qualify for the 2018 World Cup gathers pace on the back of this shock - surely a goalkeeper alone isn’t enough to steer them through?

While the rest of his team did not seem up to par in many respects, Bulgaria goalkeeper, Styanov, had an absolute belter of a game, saving almost countless attempts by the home side – including a penalty taken by Ronaldo.

Portugal: Anthony Lopes 6, Bruno Alves 7, Pepe 7, Cristiano Ronaldo 8, Vieirinha 6, William Carvalho 6, Joao Mario 7, Nani 7, Rafa 6, Eliseu 7, Adrien 7. Subs: Raphael Guerreiro NA, Eder NA, Danny 6, Danilo 6, Quaresma 7 , Renato Sanches 6.

Bulgaria: Stoyanov 9, S Popov 7, Alexsandrov 6, Bodurov 6, Milanov 7, Rangelov 7, Dyakov 6, Chochev 6, M Aleksandrov 6, Poprov 6, Marcelinho 7. Subs: Terziev NA, Slavchev , Delev NA, ,Bozhikov NA, Tonev NA.

20' GOAL! Bulgaria take an unexpected early lead thanks to a strike by Marcelinho on his international debut.

54' SAVE! A clear foul by Bulgaria who have been a bit more hands-on than they maybe should, Ronaldo takes the free kick and Stoyanov again saves it! Bruno Alves strikes the rebound before it's cleared.

59' SAVE! It's absolutely relentless for Stoyanov who throws himself over Ardrien's low strike

67' PENALTY! Ronaldo is up to take a penalty after Bodurov hand-balls Pepe's cross. So that'll be the equaliser.

67' SAVE! No it won't!!! Unbelievably Styanov does it again. He really is carrying these guys.

87' SAVE! Styanov saves AGAIN! This time it's a close-range header from Ronaldo.

Losing side, Portugal, made a whopping 30 shots at the goal this evening – compared to Bulgaria’s four.