Diogo Jota had to settle for a bench role as Portugal faced Denmark in the Nations League quarter-final second leg, but he made an impressive impact after emerging during the second half. Roberto Martinez’s side trailed 1-0 on aggregate after last week’s first leg in Copenhagen and produced a big performance to win 5-2 on Sunday night and advance to the last four.
Liverpool forward Jota came on in the 62nd minute, when Denmark was leading 2-1 on aggregate, and the game ended up going to extra-time after Portugal took a 3-2 lead after 90 minutes. Portugal scored two more goals in extra-time to secure victory, and Jota — who has been linked with a Liverpool exit of late amid an injury-plagued season — played a key role in the second, setting up Goncalo Ramos to make the score 5-3 on aggregate.
Jota was praised by Portuguese outlet A Bola in its player ratings. Handing the Liverpool forward a seven out of 10, it said: “Came on in the 62nd minute to bring danger and intensity to the inner areas of the attack and he succeeded.
“Not so much with the ball, but more due to intelligent movements that opened up spaces in the opposing defense. And, in the 112th minute, when he did have the ball, he perfectly set up Goncalo Ramos for the final 5-2.”
Goal, meanwhile, also scored Jota 7/10, saying: “Didn’t do a great deal when he came on but grew into the game as extra-time wore on and got an assist.”
Jota was interviewed after the game and admitted having to start on the bench is just part of the game. “It’s part of it,” he said of his substitute role. “Our group has a lot of quality and I think it was clear that we had better options than them and in extra time we were clearly superior. That’s what defines Portugal, not just the eleven but everyone on the bench, and even in the stands, has the quality to help, and it’s up to us to respond when we’re called upon.
“I think it’s an incentive. Everyone attributes this quality to us, but all teams have quality. The secret is to have 20 or 30 players instead of 11, like we have. We did the job today and the most important thing is to find ways to win.”
