Quina scores but Portugal lose at Euro U19 finals

Quina

 

Quina scored a sensational goal but was unable to prevent Portugal from falling to a 3-2 defeat by Italy at the UEFA European U19 Championship finals.

The West Ham United midfielder curled in a superb 25-yard strike in the final minute, but the goal was nothing more than a consolation as the Italians ran out winners by the odd goal in five.

Thursday’s result in the Finnish city of Vaasa leaves Portugal facing a winner-takes-all Group A clash in the same venue on Sunday afternoon.

Quina, who completed the full 90 minutes in the No10 shirt against Italy, and his Portugal teammates sit second in the group after two rounds of matches, with three points, ahead of Norway on goal difference. 

With Italy already through and Norway also on three points after a dramatic 3-2 win over the host nation, a draw or victory would therefore see Portugal advance to the semi-finals.

Portugal have not won the Euro U19 title since 1999, but did reach the final last year, when 18-year-old Quina, who made his West Ham debut at 16 in a UEFA Europa League tie with NK Domzale in July 2016 and featured in last season's FA Cup third-round tie at Shrewsbury Town, started in his country’s defeat by England.

The final will be held in Seinajoki on Sunday 29 July.