Newcastle United will have been paying close attention to Portugal’s Nations League game on Sunday night.
They beat Denmark 5-3 on aggregate to advance to the final four of the Nations League, but it was not Cristiano Ronaldo who rescued Portugal.
Instead, it was Francisco Trincao. He scored twice to ensure Portugal advanced, just days after Trincao was linked with Newcastle United.
He is being watched by Newcastle United, as Eddie Howe prepares to add a new right winger to his squad at St James’ Park.
Francisco Trincao saves Portugal after Newcastle United rumour
Newcastle want three signings, and it is vital that a winger is one of them. The Magpies need a difference-maker to join Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, and Trincao proved he can be exactly that on Sunday night.
Five minutes after being brought on as a substitute, Trincao scored the goal to take the game to extra time. It was the first time he had found the net for his country.
Once extra time arrived, Trincao doubled his tally for Portugal. The 25-year-old netted his second goal of the game in the 91st minute to give his side the lead, as Portugal went on to beat Denmark 5-3 on aggregate.
Trincao was Portugal’s hero, rather than Ronaldo. While the Al-Nassr attacker did score against Denmark, he also missed a first half penalty.
Portuguese media hail Trincao
The Sporting CP attacker is taking all of the plaudits, with Portuguese outlet A Bola naming him as Portugal’s best player against Denmark.
They gave Trincao a rating of 8/10, writing: “He entered the game in the 81st minute and at the right time: in the shooting range, he managed, in the 86th minute, a beautifully curled shot with his left foot to revive the team. What a great start to the game! And what followed, gentlemen, was a luxury: after a powerful shot from Gonçalo Ramos, here was Trincão again, skilfully and first-time, making it 4-2, with 48 seconds played in extra time. He then opened the book with crazy feints and otherworldly passes, like the one to Diogo Jota, which almost led to Bruno Fernandes making it 5-2. It wasn’t there, it was later when he made the pre-assist for Diogo Jota to set up Gonçalo Ramos for the final goal.”
Elsewhere, Goal gave Trincao 9/10 and wrote: “Finished with aplomb with virtually his first touch to rescue his side and then got another in extra-time.”
Trincao really has become decisive in the final third. He provided the clutch moments for Portugal in the Nations League, while he is also performing brilliantly at club level.
The former Wolves player has scored nine goals and provided 15 assists in all competitions for Sporting this season.
His numbers are very impressive, and it will be interesting to see whether or not Newcastle United make a formal move for him when the summer transfer window arrives.
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