Before their delayed Euro 2020 opener with Hungary next Tuesday, Portugal breezed past Israel in Lisbon, netting twice in each half after some early problems in front of goal. 

The current European Championship holders carved their guests open early on but didn't take the lead until the 40th minute. Bruno Fernandes was on hand to convert from the edge of the area before the Manchester United midfielder teed up former-Red Devil Cristiano Ronaldo for his 104th Portugal goal just before the break. 

Ronaldo and his teammates were left frustrated early on as they failed to take their chances but Portugal never seem troubled and man of the match Joao Cancelo added a third in the second half with a sumptuous strike before Fernandes blasted home late on to wrap things up. 

Story of the match

They may be the sixth favourites to win Euro 2020 but Portugal will be difficult to dislodge from the top of the European game with their wealth of talent in forward areas.

As long as their defence can hold up in the Group F of death, A Seleção will be a contender. In fact, many would argue their squad this time around is stronger than the one that shocked the French in their own backyard five years ago. 

Portugal went into their game with Israel off the back of a 0-0 draw with Spain last Friday. However, this time around Fernando Santos was able to call upon his Manchester-based contingent who were involved in European finals for their clubs recently. 

Manchester United's Fernandes and Cancelo of Manchester City lit up Lisbon and it was the latter who found some early joy on the right-hand side.

Cancelo combined well with club-mate Bernardo Silva on the wing and floated his cross onto the head of Diogo Jota but the forward failed to direct his header on target. 

After dominating the opening quarter, it felt like only a matter of time before the hosts would take the lead.

Fernandes had a pop from distance but shot high and wide on 34 minutes just before Ronaldo was denied by the outstretched leg of Ofir Marciano moments later. 

With five minutes remaining in the first half, the home side finally made the breakthrough. Cancelo scampered down the right-wing and pulled the ball back to the edge of the area for Fernandes to run onto and finish cooly into the bottom corner.

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A couple of minutes later, the United midfielder turned provider as he laid Ronaldo in the clear for the captain to power home from inside the box and score his 104th international goal. 

Portugal led 2-0 at the break and sent on Andre Silva for Jota at the interval. The Frankfurt striker scored 28 times this season in all competitions and looked lively upon his arrival. 

Silva's introduction highlighted Portugal's strength in depth however, further substitutions disrupted the flow of the game and the hosts best efforts were coming from distance.

Cancelo held his own defensively with Israel failing to threaten the Portuguese net and on 86 minutes the full-back made a surge down the right again before cutting in on his left foot with a sumptuous strike to make it three. 

Fernandes then rounded off the night with a fine goal of his own in stoppage time when he curled his effort into the top corner from 20 yards to give Portugal a 4-0 win on their way to the European Championships. 

Santos will be all smiles heading into the tournament and his side should be full of confidence as they aim to retain their trophy. 

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