Action from the Men's Olympic Football Tournament match between Portugal (red jersey) and Honduras on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Portugal (2W-0D-0L, 6 points) conceded an early goal, but recovered to defeat Group D rival Honduras 2-1 on Sunday at the Estadio Joao Havelange and earn a quarterfinal place in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.
Despite having the same number points as Argentina (1-0-1, 3), which posted a 2-1 win over Algeria (0-0-2, 0), the Hondurans (1-0-1, 3) finished the evening in second place on superior goal difference (0 to -1).
Alberth Elis, who was the joint-top scorer at the 2015 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship with four goals, put Honduras ahead 1-0 in the first minute. Olimpia teammate Romell Quioto sent a delivery into the box from the left side to which Elis connected with his right foot and directed into the left side netting.
The Portuguese equalized in the 21st minute, when a short corner found Sergio Oliveira. The 24-year-old Porto midfielder crossed to the six-yard box, where a completely unmarked Tobias Figueiredo headed easily into the right side of the net.
In the 36th minute, Paciencia completed the scoring, slotting home from 12-yards out after collecting Bruno Fernandes’ initially deflected effort.
Honduras, which reached the knockout rounds at London 2012, returns to action to on Wednesday against Argentina in Brasilia.
