**UEFA Under-21 European Qualifier
****Scotland** **0-2 Portugal Tuesday 9 September 2025**
**Fir Park, Motherwell**
**Scorers**
Scotland 0
Portugal 2, Mora ('20), Roger Fernandes ('55)
**Team News**
Ruairidh Adams stepped in between the sticks and a switch to a back four saw Scot Gemmill freshen up the team from the one that started in Czechia on Friday as Findlay Curtis, Emilio Lawrence, Kristi Montgomery and Dire Mebude started the game.
David Watson continued with the captain’s armband as Scotland kicked off at Fir Park.
**As It Happened**
The visitors started the game on the front foot, as Scotland battled to gain a foothold in the game, pressing high when the opportunity presented itself.
The first clear-cut chance of the match fell the way of the visitors which they tucked away to take the lead. FC Porto’s Rodrigo Mora nodded home from Geovany Quenda’s curling cross from the right-hand side, nestling into the bottom corner away from Adams in the Scotland net.
Scotland battled well in the midfield, as Kristi Montgomery and David Watson looked to shackle the Portuguese attacking threat.
Matthew Anderson drew the ire of the referee for a foul on Diego Rodrigues, earning the Scotland full-back a booking just shy of the half-hour mark.
Scotland’s best chance of the first half fell to Dire Mebude as the hosts grew in confidence. After more great work by Kristi Montgomery in the midfield, winning the ball and driving from his own half, he found Mebude on the penalty spot, but the forward could only find the goalkeeper’s gloves with his finish.
Scotland started the second half brightly, with Findlay Curtis showing great energy to stretch the Portugal back-line, backed up by Daniel Kelly as they fought to get their side back into the game.
The visitors doubled their advantage after a clinical finish from Roger Fernandes. Scotland lost the ball on the edge of their own area, and some neat play from Portugal saw Fernandes free to fire the ball past the diving Adams.
Scot Gemmil looked to his bench as substitutes Ryan One and Miller Thomson replaced Emilio Lawrence and Daniel Kelly.
Scotland were handed a numerical advantage as Portugal captain Mateus Fernandes received a second yellow card for a tackle on David Watson.
Scotland’s first chance of the second half fell to centre-half Luke Graham, as he rose above the Portuguese defence from a David Watson corner, only for his header to go agonisingly wide of the post as Scotland searched for a way back into the tie.
Colby Donovan was next up as he latched onto a knockdown on the edge of the visitors box and lashed a shot from the edge of the box just over Joao Carvalho’s crossbar.
It wasn’t to be for the Young Team unfortunately, as the visitors left Lanarkshire with all three points.
**Scotland Team**
Scotland: Ruaridh Adams (GK), Colby Donovan, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen (OFF '69), Luke Graham, Matthew Anderson (OFF '69), Findlay Curtis, Kristi Montgomery, Daniel Kelly (OFF '54), David Watson ©, Findlay Curtis (OFF '88), Emilio Lawrence (OFF '54), Dire Mebude
Substitutes: Rory Mahady (GK), Callan McKenna (GK), Ben McPherson, Mitchel Frame (ON '69), Samuel Cleall-Harding (ON '69), Aidan Borland, Ryan One (ON '54), James Wilson (ON '88), Miller Thomson (ON '54)
**Next-up**
A home tie is next-up for Scot Gemmill’s side, as they host Gibraltar at Dens Park.