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Portugal became the first side from Group A to qualify for the UEFA Nations League knockout rounds after a goalless stalemate with Italy at San Siro.
The Azzurri missed a host of clear-cut opportunities throughout the match, and despite mustering 15 shots at goal, could aim only three on target. Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne both fluffed their lines in the first half as the Seleccao were given a real let off.
Still without their talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo, the visitors showed more character and intent after the break, but only ever tested Gianluigi Donnarumma once. However, a point was enough to secure a passage into the last four.
Here are the major talking points from the game:
#1 Italy must learn to score
On most occasions these days, watching Italy play is like popping a few sleeping pills that would cause you to pass out just minutes later. No real attacking effervescence or creative ingenuity. Just defend. And even if they do exude an uncanny flair, are let down by poor finishing or wayward first-touches. Like in this game.
The Azzurri once again came to a cropper in the final third. They cut open Portugal with some clinical forward movement only to blow it all up in smoke with frustrating profligacy. Marco Verratti pulled the strings from the left, laying crosses or setting things up for the likes of Immobile and Insigne. But neither could emulate their ferocity in the final third when in club colours.
Another blank means Italy have failed to score in two of the last three competitive games, but that's just the tip of the iceberg: they haven't scored more than once in the last seven games, and on the occasion they did, the opposition was only Saudi Arabia.
This has seen Italy win only twice in 10 games this calendar year, and only one of them was competitive. Italy were never an attacking team, but their output in front of the net has painfully deteriorated and Roberto Mancini must figure out the panacea to this goal-scoring woe to restore this side back among the elites.
#2 Portugal give a glimpse into post-Ronaldo future
Cristiano Ronaldo has been on an international sabbatical since the World Cup concluded. He didn't feature in the inaugural Nations League even once and yet, Portugal have become the first team to advance to the next round. Now that's a testament to the talent in this team.
Even without their prolific skipper, the Seleccao barely struggled to find the net while the defense is improving too. Manager Fernando Santos has had plenty of options on all parts of the pitch. Since the defeat to Uruguay in the World Cup, he hasn't seen his side on the losing end.
Now Italy and Poland aren't exactly big draws as the likes of France, England and Spain could've posed greater threats. But Portugal have emerged victorious against both the aforementioned sides sans Ronaldo and that's saying something about a team commonly accused of chronic dependency on their No.7.
The Juventus star is going to return to the fold imminently for the next round, but the foreseeable future of this team without him looks secure.
#3 Verratti demonstrates his class
It's easy to overlook Marco Verratti's influence in a match when he's playing around more glamorous names for club and country. However, without him, Italy at least, look like a different prospect and one that's a notch lower than usual.
Don't believe? Remind yourself how lively the Azzurri looked today with him pulling the strings from the midfield. Verratti kept the juices flowing with his inch-perfect passes and buccaneering runs. He, in fact, made the most passes in the game with 111 and completed a 100 of those. He also charged forward on numerous occasions to push Portugal on the back foot as well as create scoring opportunities for the front three.
It's a different story the hosts failed to find the back of the net, but that isn't all he did. Verratti was also the battering ram breaking Portugal's play as well as dropping deep to shore up the backline: he made four successful tackles out of six attempts and also showed great vision and vigilance to make another three interceptions.
Recurring injuries blighted Verratti's international time this year, but now that he's back in the mix, looks ready to become the chieftain in Mancini's set-up.
#4 Italy have made San Siro a fortress
Italy don't have a national football ground like England or Ireland or many others. But the Giuseppe Meazza is something special. Not only is it one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, but has also become a fortress for the Blues in recent years. And Portugal are the latest side in the long list of visitors to go back without a win or a goal.
According to statistics, Italy have been unbeaten in 44 international games at the San Siro, winning 31 of them. Almost every international powerhouse have been to the Milanese cauldron over the decades, but none have succeeded. None. Nada.
However, Italy are themselves winless at the San Siro in the last five competitive games. You'll have to cast your mind all the way back to 2014 for their last win that came against Denmark in Euro 2016 qualifiers. But it's certain that whenever Italy are at the Lombardy capital, a defeat is not on the cards.
#5 Not a memorable homecoming for Andre Silva
The Portuguese youngster has made plenty of headlines for his barnstorming start to life at new club Sevilla, where he's already stuck seven times in 10 appearances. He is also the driving factor behind Portugal's successful Nations League campaign so far, having scored the winner against Italy in the opener and then netting once again against Poland.
This time, however, he was well off his mark and forget scoring, Silva failed to muster a single shot on target. Returning to the San Siro for the first time since switching Milan for Sevilla, the 23-year old was kept in check by Chiellini and Bonucci, cutting him off the supply lines and not letting him any space to work anything out. He made only 27 touches on the ball - the least amongst the Portuguese players and second fewest in the match.
The Andre Silva at San Siro was very different from the Andre Silva that turned up for the Sevillastas week in week out. This might just be a one-off, but Portugal need him against Poland to ensure a positive end to Nations League group stages.
