Albania vs. Portugal: Score and Reaction from Euro 2016 Qualifier

Portugal beat Albania 1-0 in the final seconds of their Group I encounter on Monday as a stoppage time goal by Miguel Veloso robbed the home team of a deserved point.

The match was a tight contest, with the Portugal threat neutralised, but it was the visitors who were celebrating at the end.

Albania remained unchanged from their vital goalless draw away to Denmark, with Portugal coach Fernando Santos bringing Danny, match-winner Veloso and Bernardo Silva into his plans for Monday night's clash.

Broadcaster Andy Brassell was pleased to see the inclusion of one player:

Portugal went looking for an early strike; Nani missed a golden opportunity in the opening minutes, hitting the post after a corner, with Cristiano Ronaldo inches away from finishing. Neither side could keep possession for long periods in the opening 20 minutes in what became a very scrappy first half. 

Albania showed off their defensive and organisational development as Portugal failed to break down the hosts—with CR7 looking to be his side's best hope. 

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Ronaldo had a further chance just after the half-hour mark, but Portugal failed to enforce the extra quality they had on paper. 

CR7 cut a frustrated figure as the teams trudged off at half-time, with the visitors clearly bemused with the nights proceedings. 

However, football writer Tom Kundert was complimentary about Portugal, despite not being able to break Albania down:

Danny and Ronaldo both had early chances for the visitors early in the second half, but neither player could find a finish of sufficient quality. Silva continued to find good attacking positions, but his final ball wasn't good enough. 

Portugal reverted to taking a more conservative approach as the clock ticked away, with Albania happy to take a draw and earn their third consecutive clean sheet. 

However, it was Albania who went closest to scoring as Sokol Cikalleshi hit the crossbar with just 15 minutes remaining. The forward took advantage of hesitant defending and smashed his shot off the woodwork. 

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But just as it looked like Albania had gained yet another vital point, Portugal stole the win in the second minute of stoppage time through Veloso.

The midfielder rose on the edge of the six-yard area to meet a corner, and he clinically headed home to take the three points in a classic smash and grab. 

The Albanians were distraught at the final whistle, but the win takes the Seleccao to the brink of winning the group.

The night was a drab event with neither team looking fully committed to finding a win. Portugal are a poor side when you take the talent of Ronaldo out of the equation, with the rest of the team unable to be the support function CR7 needs.

However, they won the match with a very late knockout punch, which the hosts certainly did not deserve.

Portugal are clear at the top of Group I, three points ahead of Denmark.  

Post-Match Reaction

Portugal boss Fernando Santos was adamant the right team won on Monday night, saying his team deserved the three points, as reported by the Euro qualifiers official Twitter account:

The Portuguese now host second placed Denmark on Oct. 8, with Albania at home to Serbia on the same day.