Martin Dubravka fortunate to escape serious injury after a beyond reckless challenge from Cristiano Ronaldo saw the striker’s studs end up in the face of the Newcastle keeper watch below).
Thankfully Dubrava able to continue after lengthy treatment.
Ronaldo somehow ending up with only a yellow card, not a red.
The Portugal forward having scuffed his shot and then a reckless lunge with studs first, off the ground, as Dubravka came to claim the ball. In no way was this a situation where the striker has to go for the ball, it was far too late for that.
Fernandes with the Portugal goal which leaves Slovakia second in Group J after five of the ten Euro qualifying group matches.
Slovakia on 10 points and ahead of Luxembourg on goal difference, whilst five points behind group leaders Portugal.
Whilst Martin Dubravka continues to struggle for game time at Newcastle, his form remains excellent for Slovakia.
He went into Friday night’s match on the back of seven clean sheets in his last nine international. Another great performance against Portugal and unlucky to end up on the losing side.
Monday night sees the NUFC keeper and his international teammates with a must win match at home to Liechtenstein, who are bottom of the group and have zero points.
Newcastle United players heading around the globe to play for their countries in September 2023:
Wednesday 6 September
England Under 19s v Germany Under 19s (Lewis Miley) Friendly – To be played on Costa Brava
Thursday 7 September
Paraguay 0 Peru 0
Incredibly frustrating for Miguel Almiron, as Paraguay drew their first World Cup qualifier. Absolutely battering Peru who didn’t have a single effort on target and the visitors having to play the entire second half a man down, after Advincula picked up a red card just before the break.
Paraguay hitting the woodwork four times, the visiting keeper playing the game of his career and the Peru goal leading a charmed life.
Friday 8 September
Cyprus 0 Scotland 3 (***Elliot Anderson has now withdrawn from the Scotland squad after picking up an unspecified injury) Euros Qualifier
Slovakia v Liechtenstein (Martin Dubravka) Euros Qualifier
Tuesday 12 September
Scotland v England (Elliot Anderson, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier) Friendly (***Elliot Anderson has now withdrawn from the Scotland squad after picking up an unspecified injury)
Venezuela v Paraguay (Miguel Almiron) World Cup qualifier
Sweden v Austria (Alexander Isak) Euros Qualifier
Switzerland v Andorra (Fabian Schar) Euros Qualifier
Italy v Ukraine (Sandro Tonali) Euros Qualifier
Peru v Brazil (Joelinton and Bruno) World Cup Qualifier
