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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Soccer - New-look Portugal hit back to win 3-2 in Poland

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 3 - Poland v Portugal - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - October 11, 2018 Poland's Grzegorz Krychowiak in action with Portugal's Ruben Dias REUTERS/Radoslaw Jozwiak

CHORZOW, Poland (Reuters) - Portugal's Bernardo Silva scored a typical individual goal as their new-look side recovered to win 3-2 away to Poland in the Nations League with an impressive performance on Thursday. Andre Silva's strike and a Kamil Glik own goal put the European champions ahead by halftime, after Krzysztof Piatek had given Poland an early lead, and Bernardo Silva then got in the act early in the second half of the League A Group 3 game. Poland substitute Jakub Blaszczykowski, making his 103rd appearance as he became his country's most capped player, pulled a goal back but it was not enough for the hosts.

It was also an unhappy 100th Poland appearance for Robert Lewandowski, who barely had a touch of the ball.

After two games Portugal top the group with six points, while Poland and Italy have one apiece.

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 3 - Poland v Portugal - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - October 11, 2018 Poland's Piotr Zielinski reacts after conceding their third goal scored by Portugal's Bernardo Silva REUTERS/Radoslaw Jozwiak

Portugal, who are rebuilding their team after a second-round exit at the World Cup, left out a number of old favourites including Joao Moutinho, Jose Fonte and Ricardo Quaresma.

Captain and alltime leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo was also absent by what coach Fernando Santos said was mutual consent, although he is expected to be recalled next year.

Piatek, scorer of nine goals in seven Serie A matches for Genoa this season, struck an early blow when he outjumped Joao Cancelo at the far post to head Poland in front from a corner in the 18th minute.

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 3 - Poland v Portugal - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - October 11, 2018 Portugal's Pizzi in action with Poland's Piotr Zielinski REUTERS/Radoslaw Jozwiak

But after that, it was mainly one-way traffic as Portugal took control.

Andre Silva levelled in the 31st minute, turning in Pizzi's low cross following a well-worked move down the right for his 14th goal in 29 appearances.

Ruben Neves set up the second with a majestic long ball from inside his own half which caught out the Polish defence.

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 3 - Poland v Portugal - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - October 11, 2018 Poland's Robert Lewandowski reacts while Portugal's William Carvalho looks on REUTERS/Radoslaw Jozwiak

Rafa Silva got on the end of it and his first touch took him past goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski before Glik put the ball into his own net.

Seven minutes after halftime, Bernardo Silva collected the ball near the touchline, jinked inside one marker, ran across the edge of the penalty area and scored with a low shot past Fabianski.

Portugal continued to dominate even after Blaszczykowski's goal and Renato Sanches was twice close to a fourth for the visitors.

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 3 - Poland v Portugal - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - October 11, 2018 Portugal's William Carvalho is shown a yellow card by referee Carlos del Cerro Grande REUTERS/Radoslaw Jozwiak

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 3 - Poland v Portugal - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - October 11, 2018 Poland's Jakub Blaszczykowski celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates REUTERS/Radoslaw Jozwiak

(Reporting by Brian Homewood; editing by Ken Ferris and Toby Davis)

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 3 - Poland v Portugal - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - October 11, 2018 Portugal's Pepe and team mates react REUTERS/Radoslaw Jozwiak
Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 3 - Poland v Portugal - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - October 11, 2018 Poland's Jakub Blaszczykowski celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Radoslaw Jozwiak
Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 3 - Poland v Portugal - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - October 11, 2018 Poland fans hold up scarves REUTERS/Radoslaw Jozwiak
Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 3 - Poland v Portugal - Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland - October 11, 2018 Portugal's Andre Silva receives medical attention REUTERS/Radoslaw Jozwiak
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