Portugal win 2-0 over Azerbaijan to move one point behind Group F leaders Russia
Despite dominating early on, the visitors had to wait for the hour-mark to take the lead as Bruno Alves forced a header past Kamran Agayev to open the scoring.
Substitute Hugo Almeida finished off their opponents in the 79th minute after scoring, while the hosts had to finish the tie with 10 men.
The Portuguese had all the momentum from kick off as Danny had an effort only thwarted by Agayev and Joao Moutinho only barely missed from distance as Paulo Bento’s men desperately needed three points.
Azerbaijan captain Rashad Sadygov made a last-ditcyh challenge to deny Helder Postiga, while Miguel Veloso attempted a curling free-kick that only went wide of the post.
Already having a difficult time holding the visitors down, the hosts were given a bigger blow as striker Rauf Aliyev was given a second yellow card after an elbow hit Raul Meireles in the 55th.
With a man advantage, things opened up for the Portuguese, and they were rewarded in the 63rd minute as Alves headed in Moutinho’s corner.
After only 11 minutes they sealed the game after Fabio Coentrao picked out Almeida to head in a goal into an empty net.
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