Football
ESPN staff 7y

Fernando Santos: Portugal sometimes make games 'difficult for ourselves'

Portugal boss Fernando Santos praised his side's quick response after conceding in Friday's 4-1 victory over Latvia, even if he believes they often make games "difficult for ourselves."

Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead in the first half, though Arturs Zjuzins equalised for the visitors. But substitute Ricardo Quaresma delivered two assists to help the European champions quickly regain control.

Portugal have won three straight qualifiers after losing their opener at Switzerland, though they've rarely been challenged against Andorra, the Faroe Islands and Latvia.

But Santos said his players should not be overlooking any opponents.

"We complicated things in the first half because we lacked intensity," the manager told A Bola. "In terms of possession of the ball, we were good, but we lacked acceleration in our play.

"At the break, I spoke with the players and we started better, we created chances, played a little faster, but then we conceded a goal. However, the team reacted really well and got a goal themselves.

"Quaresma's entrance worked really well, because when we think that these games are easy, we make them difficult for ourselves.

"Fortunately, William [Carvalho]'s goal came quickly enough and then later we could have got more. If only we'd had the same intensity throughout the game."

Carvalho restored Portugal's lead less than three minutes after Latvia had found an equaliser.

"We reached our objective," Carvalho said. "We knew we were going to face a difficult defence, but we had a great second half.

"My goal came at the right time because we were evenly matched at that point, but the important thing was to contribute to a Portugal victory. I'm proud to be part of this group."

Ronaldo could have recorded a hat trick if not for putting a penalty off the post and missing two late chances, but his brace was enough to move him onto 68 international goals in his career, level with Gerd Muller and Robbie Keane for fourth among European players.

The Real Madrid star just trails Ferenc Puskas (84), Sandor Kocsis (75) and Miroslav Klose (71) on that leaderboard.

Ronaldo has reached his total in 136 appearances, one fewer than Klose made. Puskas scored his 84 in only 89 caps for Hungary and Spain.

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