Portugal’s rugby team beat Spain 33-30 this Sunday to reach the final of the Rugby European Championship 2024 (REC24) for the second year in a row, where they will once again face Georgia.
At the Restelo Stadium, Wolves trailed 20–13 at half-time thanks to a goal from Lucas Martins (37 minutes), but turned the match in their favor in the second half thanks to goals from Jose Lima (51 minutes). ), Manuel Cardoso Pinto (58) and 100% efficiency from Hugo Aubry, scoring three tries and adding four penalties (11, 18, 65, 69).
The REC24 final against Georgia, an opponent who beat Portugal by a 38-11 decision last year, before the two teams meet at the 2023 World Cup in France (18-18), is scheduled for March 17. in Paris, at 20:00 (Lisbon time).
In the first half, precise play from Aubry (11, 18) kept Portugal within the score, despite a try from Martin Mateu (14), at a stage when it was not uncommon for the Portuguese team to find themselves in trouble. its area is 22 meters.
A try from Lucas Martins (37), assisted by his brother Nicolas Martins, from Hugo Camacho’s wide pass could have left Portugal at least tied at half-time (13-13), as was Spain. modest in its use of Portuguese errors.
But in the last game Hugo Aubry made a fatal hitch in his 22-metre area and Spain took the opportunity to score a second try through Martiniano Sian (39) who rested the visitors to win 20-13.
The second half started in much the same way: in the first seconds the Spaniards turned the Portuguese at 22 meters and applied pressure until they stepped up another penalty from Bautista Guemes (43).
However, in the 50th minute, Portugal finally managed to put their opponents “on the ropes” and achieved a second try through Jose Lima (51) in a “close” exit, where a pair of Portuguese centers excelled, supporting Camacho, and Thomas Appleton receiving the ball out of action before assisting Lima.
The Portuguese “captain” excelled again, breaking through the opposition line after a lineout and once again helping his teammate, now Manuel Cardos Pinto (58), who put Wolves ahead on the scoreboard for the first time.
The third attempt finally broke the resistance of the Spaniards, and Hugo Obi (65, 69) protected Portugal even from a transformed attempt (33-23), but in the middle the referee still refused Lucas Martins (66) a “double”, giving the signal The Portuguese winger was very controversial “forward” at the moment of interception.
Spain’s final try from Brice Ferrer (89), unlike in the first half, was scored against the run of play while Portugal played with a numerical advantage, and ended up being somewhat misleading in the final result (33-30), given the huge advantage Portuguese in the second half.
Game at Restelo Stadium in Lisbon.
Portugal – Spain, 33-30.
During the break: 13-20.
By decision of the Frenchman Benoit Rousselet, the teams lined up as follows:
– Portugal: António Machado Santos, Luka Begic, Abel da Cunha, José Madeira, Martim Bello, David Wallis, Nicholas Martins, Joao Granate, Hugo Camacho, Hugo Aubry, Lucas Martins, Thomas Appleton, José Lima, Pierre Sayers and Manuel Cardoso Pinto .
Also playing: Andre Arrojado, Pedro Vicente, Diogo Hasse Ferreira, Duarte Torgal, Vasco Baptista, Diego Pinheiro Ruiz, Duarte Azevedo and José Paiva dos Santos.
Rehearsals (3): Lucas Martins (37), Jose Lima (51), Manuel Cardoso Pinto (58).
Conversions (3): Hugo Aubry (37, 52, 59).
Penalty (4): Hugo Aubry (11, 18, 65, 69).
Coach: Daniel Hourcade
– Spain: Thierry Futeu, Alvaro Garcia, Lucas Santamaria, Ignacio Pinheiro, Imanol Urrasa, Mario Pichardi, Matthew Foulds, EkainImaz, Kerman Aurrecuechea, Gonzalo Lopez, Martiniano Xian, Alvar Jimeno, Martin Mateu, Alberto Carmona and John Bell.
Also playing: Vicente del Hoyo, Simon Bessonar, Joaquin Dominguez, Alejandro Suarez, Brice Ferrer, Estanislao Bay, Bautista Guemes and Pau Aira.
Rehearsals (3): Martin Mateu (14), Martiniano Chian (39), Bryce Ferrer (89).
Conversions (3): Gonzalo Lopez (15), Bautista Guemes (40, 90).
Penalties (3): Gonzalo Lopez (04), Bautista Guemes (26, 43).
Coach: Pablo Buza
Disciplinary action: yellow card for Duarte Torgal (76).
Attendance: about 7,000 spectators.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.