Azerbaijan 0-3 Portugal: 5 Talking points as Portugal wrap up the international break with routine win | FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers

#3 Portugal extend unbeaten run in World Cup qualifiers to 14 games

Portugal have won four of their five World Cup qualifying games this season

Portugal are having a great World Cup qualifying campaign thus far. The comfortable win over Azerbaijan was their fourth out of five games played. A 2-2 draw against Serbia in March was the only game in which they had dropped points.

Interestingly, they have fared quite well in qualifying campaigns before as well. Considering their record in the previous campaign as well, their unbeaten run stretches to 14 games, of which they have won 13.

Portugal are unbeaten across their last 14 World Cup qualifiers:◉ 13 wins◉ 1 draw◉ 43 goals scored◉ 6 goals concededOutstanding record.💪 pic.twitter.com/AHKfKsZ323

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 7, 2021

Well, the quality of opponents they face in the qualifying round is definitely on the lower side. But still, a record of having scored 43 goals and conceding just six is appreciable.

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#2 No Cristiano Ronaldo no problem for the highly talented Portugal squad

Ronaldo was suspended for the game against Azerbaijan

Portugal recorded a 3-0 win over Azerbaijan without even breaking a sweat. This was thanks to a wealth of talent in the final third in Fernando Santos' squad. Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Jota had a great outing and were a joy to watch.

Fernandes was the creator and stayed behind deep to thread in the passes. While Bernardo Silva cut in from the flanks to cause all sorts of problems for the Azerbaijan defenders. Andre Silva and Jota linked well inside the box and got a goal apiece to their name.

Still a better connection than your WIFI 📶😏@andrevsilva19 🤝 @DiogoJota18 pic.twitter.com/zqKtmPCtmL

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 7, 2021

Ronaldo helped with a brace in the 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland. But Jota is currently Portugal's top scorer in the World Cup qualifying campaign with four goals.

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#1 Bruno Fernades produces a remarkable performance in the middle of the pitch

Bruno Fernandes provided the assist for Portugal's opening goal

Bruno Fernandes has been in impressive form for club and country for the last couple of seasons. For Manchester United, he is yet to lose an away game and is probably the best player in the Portugal squad, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo.

He was the creative force behind Portugal's easy win here and created five key passes, more than anyone else on the pitch. Almost everything on the pitch passed through him and his crosses and through balls were key to Portugal's attack.

His assist for Silva's opener was his first assist of the 2021-22 campaign for club and country.

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