UEFA European Under-17 Championship Finals
Portugal 2-0 Scotland
Sunday, 8th May 2016, kick-off 12.30pm (UK time)
Dalga Stadium, Dalga

Quina 37, Gomes 55

Scotland exited the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Azerbaijan after suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Portugal.

A goal in each half was enough to secure Portugal’s place in the quarter-finals and send Scotland spinning out the competition.

Scotland face tournament hosts Azerbaijan in their final Group A match on Wednesday with third place still up for grabs.

After losing to Belgium in their opening group match, the Scots required at least a point in today’s encounter to keep their chances of progressing to the last eight alive but it was a comfortable victory for Portugal in the end.

Scot Gemmill’s side did make a bright start to the match and spurned a good chance on six minutes.

Kyle McAllister found Zak Rudden wide on the right and Rangers forward tried to slide in Sunderland-bound Lee Connelly for a tap in but his pass was cut out by the Portuguese defence.

The chance sparked Portugal into life and Celtic goalkeeper Aidan McAdams made a great double save on 12 minutes to keep the scoreline at 0-0.

McAdams came to Scotland’s rescue again on 35 minutes, making a flying save to deny a Jose Gomes header.

Scotland worked tirelessly in an attempt to go into the interval level but Portugal netted just three minutes before half time.

Gomes linked up with Quina on the edge of the penalty area and he fired a low shot beyond McAdams.

Portugal started the second half strongly and Diego Leite came close to adding a second but his header spun off the post and Scotland managed to clear.

Scotland were under relentless pressure and Portugal grabbed a deserved second on 55 minutes.

Gedson Fernandes clipped in a cross from the right and Gomes nodded past a helpless McAdams to make it 2-0.

Portugal continued to dominate possession although Scotland were denied the chance of a late consolation when Daniel Meridith crossed for Glenn Middleton but the Norwich City midfielder’s volley was wide of the target.

Scotland are next in action on Wednesday when they face Azerbaijan at the Bakcell Arena in Baku, kick-off 1pm (UK time).

SCOTLAND | McAdams, Meredith, Wilson, Baur, Hornby, Burt (Cpt.) (Middleton 59) Connelly, Rudden (Morrison 59), McAllister (Watson 52), Adamson, Hegarty.

Subs not used: Wright (GK), Freeman, Aitchison, McLennan.