Ireland 0-4 Portugal
Ireland bowed out at the penultimate step as their attempt to reach the under-19 European Championships final fell short against a classy Portuguese side in Yerevan.
It was a first appearance for the Boys in Green in the last four since 2011, but there was no question about who was the better team in the sweltering heat of the Banants Stadium.
Gonçalo Ramos hit a hat-trick for the Iberian side, who are looking to claim back-to-back titles in the competition, as they built on a 2-0 half-time advantage to set up a final meeting with France or Spain.
Áine O'Gorman and Alan Cawley say Ireland lost to a special Portugal side in the under-19 European Championship semi-final #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/NEFJ0hz3XP
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 24, 2019
Portugal's first goal came from the penalty spot, after Joe Hodge fouled João Mário. There were no complaints form the Irish players, and Vitor Ferreira stroked it home.
Ireland responded well to the goal, and had two great chances to equalise within a few minutes.
First, Barry Coffey's effort was blocked on the line by Costinha, after Ali Reghba had done well out right to create some space and get a cross in.
Moments later Mark McGuinness saw his effort smash off the crossbar.
From there, there was a massive blow just before half-time. Ramos headed his first home at the back post, getting on the end of Mário's cross from the left.
The third came just before the hour mark. Ireland lost possession in their own half, and Ramos smashed home from a Mário cross.
The fourth came deep into second-half injury time. Ramos took on the defender, and finished smartly into the left corner.
