Rain clouds can’t prevent Portugal from reaching 7th heaven
Portugal made it seven wins out of seven so far at this year’s Oslo 2025 Homeless World Cup with a hard-earned victory over a very strong USA side.
In wet conditions under a rainy sky, Portugal, who finished in 5th place in Seoul in 2024, took their tournament goal tally to 56 as they saw off 2023 Homeless World Cup hosts USA by seven goals to five on Day 5 in the Men’s Stage Two.
After a cagey start from both teams, Portugal broke the deadlock with a fine strike from the right wing beyond the USA keeper. Up the other end, the Portugal keeper spread himself well to deny USA the chance to draw themselves level. Within moments Portugal went 2-0 up from the penalty spot, before USA responded almost instantly, reducing the deficit with a strong shot that crept in under the Portugal keeper. As USA pressed for an equaliser, a fine strike beat the USA keeper at the near post to send Portugal 3-1 in front.
Into the second half and both teams traded great chances but failed to score. Portugal hit the post off a well-worked free kick, before attack turned to defence to block a USA player as they were about to pull the trigger. A marvellous strike from distance went in off the post to put Portugal 4-1 up before USA went up the park and scored their second moments later with a low-drilled shot. With their tails up USA produced a third as a player held off two defenders to slot past an onrushing Portugal keeper.
Soon, USA were level. Portugal hit the post after a neat assist before some fantastic skill on the edge of the box allowed a USA player to glide past a defender and pick his spot to score and make it 4-4. Two quick Portugal goals from a triangle passing move and a strike from the right wing had them 6-4 to the good, before a seventh came moments later as a shot slid under a diving USA keeper. USA then got one back with a great strike into the far corner before the USA keeper made a fine save at the end to deny Portugal their eighth of the game.
Portugal coach Bruno Alexandre Saraiva Seco said: “It was a very good match. The pitch was very slippy but it was a fair game with fair play. And we are happy because we won. I feel very happy because we’ve played seven matches and we have seven wins. But it’s going forward that matters now. We have a good team and we are very happy with the players. We are going to try and give it our best.”
Words by Craig Williams | Photos by John Anderson