Liverpool’s Diogo Jota scored again for Portugal to help spare the reigning European champions’ blushes in Luxembourg.
The hosts – who recorded a shock 1-0 victory away to the Republic of Ireland in their previous match on Saturday – took the lead on the half-hour mark through midfielder Gerson Rodrigues, who was born in Portugal!
However, Jota, who had already struck the crossbar with a header, nodded the visitors level on the stroke of half-time after meeting a cross from Neto.
It was the Liverpool forward’s third goal in two games in the current international break as well as his sixth goal in five starts for Portugal and 16th goal in 18 starts for club and country this season.
Further strikes after the interval from Cristiano Ronaldo (50) and Joao Palhinha (80) secured a 3-1 win but by the time of Portugal’s third goal, Jota had already made way.
Kopites will have been relieved to see their recently fit-again player, who had been sidelined for over two months with a knee injury, taken off midway through the second half for Rafa Silva with seemingly no ill effects ahead of Saturday’s trip to Arsenal.
The victory also proved a welcome three points for Fernando Santos’ side who had been denied a late win in Serbia on Saturday night in controversial circumstances after a shot from Ronaldo clearly crossed the line but was not given.
Jota’s Liverpool team-mate Gini Wijnaldum was also on target as he netted the Netherlands’ fourth goal in their 7-0 romp away to minnows Gibraltar.
The Reds midfielder struck with a volley on 62 minutes after his initial header had been saved by home keeper Dayle Coleing, who plays for Irish Premiership side Glentoran.
It was a more straightforward night for Wijnaldum, who played the full 90 minutes, compared to his previous game on Saturday when he appeared to be involved in a touchline row with coach Frank de Boer after being substituted 79 minutes into their 2-0 win over Latvia.
Afterwards, the Liverpool player had insisted there was “nothing bad” between himself and his national team boss, declaring: "My substitution? Yes I was a bit disappointed. But we shouldn’t make it bigger than it is.”
The Dutch are now a point behind Group G leaders Turkey after three games apiece.
The Turks, who had on-loan Liverpool centre-back Ozan Kabak playing for them, surrendered a 3-1 lead at home to Latvia to draw 3-3.
Meanwhile, teenage Reds prospect Neco Williams impressed at left wing-back for Wales in their 1-0 win over the Czech Republic.
