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Portugal and Spain finished first and second respectively after the Sal Beach Soccer Cup came to a close on Sunday
Portugal lifted the inaugural Sal Beach Soccer Cup after making it three wins from three with a 4-1 success against hosts Cape Verde on Sunday.
Following wins over Spain and England, the world champions proved too much for Cape Verde as Be Martins, Jose Maria and P. Silva put the visitors in control after two periods.
However, the home side built on impressive displays this weekend on their return to international action as Tomass made life interesting late on only for Leo to seal the points.
Portugal finish clear of Spain, with England in third and Cape Verde fourth.
Belchior almost handed Portugal the lead inside the first minute when his free-kick struck the crossbar as Manu was kept busy early on.
Givalder went close for the hosts but Be Martins gave Portugal the lead from a set-piece midway through the first period before goalkeeper Andrade rattled the woodwork from distance.
Cape Verde acquitted themselves well but were occasionally undone by slick Portuguese play and that was the case when Jose Maria jinked through to double the lead.
P. Silva prodded home a third soon after as Portugal’s experience told, although Tomass’ acrobatic lob offered the home fans hope of a goal against the world champions.
Andrade hit the bar once more late in the second period while at the other end Cristiane denied Belchior from the spot.
Cristiane was called on to stop Jose Maria’s goalbound free-kick early in the third period but Portugal struggled to add to their tally while Tomass gained Cape Verde a deserved goal late on.
A well taken strike earned the hosts what proved a consolation and, although Cape Verde piled on pressure in the final stages, Leo’s fifth of the competition snuffed out hopes of a comeback.
In the las seconds of the game, Tomass’ free-kick rattling the post proved to be the final action of the contest, and the tournament, as Cape Verde were left to reflect on a hugely positive series of displays and a successful competition.
Goals: 1-0: Be Martins, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Jose Maria, min. 8 (2); 3-0: P. Silva, min. 7 (2); 3-1: Tomass, min. 4 (3); 4-1 Be Martins, min. 2 (3)
Spain tie up second spot with victory over England
Antonio registered his second hat-trick of the Sal Beach Soccer Cup on Sunday as Spain rounded off their campaign with a 5-2 victory against England.
Both sides had beaten Cape Verde but lost to Portugal and Spain effectively sealed second spot on the tournament’s third and final day, having surged into a 4-0 lead through Antonio’s treble and a Llorenc effort.
Lawson and Clarke began the fightback for England but they were punished by a clinical Spain side who sealed victory through Pablo in the final minute.
Temple almost made the most of a slip-up in the Spanish defence early on as England started well only to fall behind when Antonio registered his sixth goal of the tournament.
Antonio followed up on a Jeffrey save to open the scoring before Llorenç showed his quality to double the lead with a stunning acrobatic effort.
Jeffrey kept the scoreline to two with some smart stops before the second period and both goalkeepers were busy on the restart with Cristian and Jackson impressing after their introduction.
Jackson sent two efforts over but the substitute was twice outfoxed by Antonio when the Spaniard rolled two free-kicks home to complete a hat-trick.
Lawson gave England hope late in the second period and Clarke should have reduced the arrears on the restart when he angled just wide.
After Dona survived an overhit backpass, Pablo was unfortunate with an acrobatic strike that went wide.
While Clarke rattled a free-kick past Dona for his sixth of the tournament, he failed to replicate that with another set-piece in the final minute and England were punished when Ezequiel rounded off the scoring late on.
Goals: 1-0: Antonio, min. 6 (1); 2-0: Llorenç, min. 4 (1); 3-0: Antonio, min. 0 (2); 4-0: Antonio, min. 0 (2); 4-1: Lawson, min. 0 (2); 4-2: Clarke, min. 4 (3); 5-2: Pablo, min. 0 (3);
SAL BEACH SOCCER CUP 2016
Match results:
Friday 29.04.16
15.00 – Portugal 3-2 (aet) Spain
16.15 – England 7-2 Cape Verde
Saturday 30.04.16
15.00 – Portugal 5-2 England
16.15 Cape Verde 2-9 Spain
Sunday 01.05.16
15.00 – Spain 5-2 England
16.15 – Cape Verde 1-4 Portugal
Final standings
WINNER: Portugal
Runner-up: Spain
3rd place: Engalnd
4th place: Cape Verde
Individual awards:
MVP: Be Martins (POR)
Top Scorer: Antonio (ESP)
Best Goalkeeper: Andrade (POR)
