Portugal knew what they needed to do for the evening kick off in Lisbon. To ensure their RWC Qualification, they needed to deal with a strong German side looking to avenge the result they suffered against Romania last weekend.
Camacho (8', 17'), Martins (34', 37'), Ruiz (40'), Bento (41', 66'), Magalhaes (70')
Tries
Ball (59'), Lammers (80')
Moura (9', 18', 34', 38', 41', 42'), Vareiro (67', 71')
Conversions
Pretorius (59', 81')
Portugal knew what they needed to do for the evening kick off in Lisbon. To ensure their RWC Qualification, they needed to deal with a strong German side looking to avenge the result they suffered against Romania last weekend.
Portugal started fast and found themselves camped in the German 22. However, a string of errors found the possession stats swinging both ways. But after Germany switch off guarding the breakdown, Joao Granate charged into space with a easy offload to Hugo Camacho to dive under the posts. Easy conversion for Moura to add the additional 2.
9 minutes gone and Portugal find themselves 7 -0 up. Portugal come straight back from the restart, and luckily for Germany there was a forward pass in build up which found Hugo Camacho charging away again.
Portugal continued the onslaught, which ended with a held up try after solid German defence again. The Portuguese continued the aerial bombardment too, trying to put the German backline under pressure. This time it ended with a Portugal knock on and a subsequent German scrum. Allowing them chance to clear their lines again with the huge boot of Leo Wolf.
Portugal finally managed to break through the German defensive line through Jose Lima charging through a gap into open space, and Hugo Camacho was on his inside shoulder to gladly receive the pass to dot his second try of the night under the posts. Portugal converted the try to put themselves 14-0 ahead after 18 minutes.
Germany were going for it still, Shawn Ingle making a big punch through in the Portugal defence but unfortunately the ball was knocked on. Giving Portugal the ball back and the chance to put Germany back in their own half.
Germany managed to win a number of penalties that lead Germany into the Portuguese 22. The lineout went to the back and the maul started to move forward which was collapsed by Portugal metres out. Germany went back for the lineout and another driving maul that didn't go as well as the first and was stopped by Portugal for a 5m scrum. Portugal marched the scrum back for a few metres, Portugal couldn't make use of the cross field kick under penalty advantage.
Leo Wolf managed to make 10 metres for the German attack but the Portugal defence then stood firm until they gifted Germany another penalty. Germany went to the corner and another back ball at the lineout. Maul went static for a call but splintered away. Unfortunately, the breakaway was isolated and turnover won by Portugal to clear the deck again.
Nikolai Klewinghaus was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, after the Portuguese executed a cross field kick on the attack. Portugal scrum went on the offensive, the ball went off through the backs and found Portugal a metre out in the corner. Germany managed to turn the ball over but only get it inside their own 22. The Portuguese Line out went for their own driving maul, which forced Nicolas Martins over to the left over the sticks. Moura obliged with the conversion and took Portugal to 21 - 0 to the good after 34 minutes.
Portugal started the next wave of attack after the restart, going through the hands and finding Nicolas Martins out wide to run around the corner and dot down for a easy conversion opportunity for Moura again.
Portugal were not done for the half yet, they returned the restart. Which found Luka Begic charge through a gap at the halfway line and gallop into space. He was eventually stopped in the 22, which was quickly recycled by Camacho who skipped a pass and found Diego Pinheiro free on the wing 5 metres out to dot down in the corner. The ever reliable boot of Joris Moura made it 35-0 at half time.
Second half restarted with a try from Simao Bento after 41 minutes and of course, Joris Moura nudged over the 2 points.
The benches began to be emptied after half time and especially with Portugal going further clear.
Germany managed to enjoy a few phases of attacking play, and stand out performer Shawn Ingle was at the heart of most of those. Sadly, the errors continued and the momentum was handed back to Portugal. However, a late tackle from Portugal allowed Germany to get a lineout on the Portuguese 22. The lineout was secured and allowed the Germans to try to build a platform once again in the Portuguese half. Germany managed to win a penalty 22m out, Jan Piosik caught the Portugal defence asleep and also offside. Managed to eat up the metres, and a easy offload to Luis Ball to dot down under the posts. Bader Pretorius added the conversion and brought the score to 42-7.
Portugal switched off at the restart, allowing Bader Pretorius running into space from his own 22. Soon started running in treacle about the halfway line and rather than back himself, kicked the ball into the open backfield, that he could have continued into. Portugal managed to get back and resolve the threat.
After a period of scrappy back and forth. Portugal again managed to get themselves into open space, off loading their way for Simao Bento to dot down in the corner. Manuel Vareiro did the honours in adding the conversion. Portugal stretched their control of the game to 49-7 in the 67th minute.
The Portugal attack turned the screw again when going wide, finding Vasco Baptista in open space to eat up the metres. He cut the pass back to Jose Lima when pressured 5 metres out. Lima then passed it to Francisco Pinto Magalhaes when in the goal area. Conversion was tucked away again to stretch the lead further.
Germany managed to venture back into the Portugal 22, with a lineout that they fluffed but won a scrum through a rip in the tackle causing a knock on. with 5 minutes to go, Germany want to put more points to their name, especially with a performance that was very good at times. But the levels in rugby have been clear to see on the night. Portugal dropped to 14 for a yellow given after a high tackle. Duarte Torgal went off to the bin for the tackle, Germany couldn't make the most of the extra player and the position on the pitch at that time.
Portugal had the ball in their 22, when the clock turned red. Portugal went to try and run the ball out of their own 22, but a sloppy pass allowed Lammers to stroll in for a try in the 80th minute. Pretorius added the conversion. The whistle blew for a 56-14 Portugal victory, and the 4th REC team confirmed for the RWC 2027.
Germany put in an absolute shift, and the score line will be hard pill for Germany to swallow. Shawn Ingle was easily the German Man of the match, and will go on to host Belgium next weekend in their quest for a home tie in the play offs.
