Bruno Fernandes earned Portugal a fifth consecutive triumph in Euro 2024 qualifying, celebrating his 29th birthday with a goal securing a 1-0 win at Slovakia on Friday.

Roberto Martinez’s side have not conceded a goal in Group J, scoring 15, and are five points clear of their opponents who are second after being beaten for the first time.

“We knew it would be complicated but we managed to unlock the game," Fernandes told Portuguese broadcaster RTP. “We needed to have a little more of the ball, to be more patient."

Cynosure Yamal

Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score for Spain in a 7-1 win over Georgia in a Group A match, and Alvaro Morata grabbed a hat-trick.

At age 16 years and 57 days, Yamal struck in the 74th minute to round off the rout and bettered Gavi's mark as Spain's previous youngest-ever scorer at 17 years and 10 months.

Yamal had come on as a first-half substitute to become the youngest player to appear for Spain, a record also previously held by Gavi in 2021 when he was 17 years and 62 days.

Spain took a 4-0 lead inside 40 minutes at Boris Paichadze Stadium in Tbilisi to move up to second in the group on six points after three games.

Yamal had already set milestones at Barcelona.

After he caught the eye of coach Xavi Hernández while playing for the club's youth sides, Yamal went on to become the youngest player to appear for Barcelona in April when he was 15 years, 9 months, 16 days. Last month he became the youngest player to start for Barcelona. He has yet to score for his club's senior team.

Written with input from AP/PTI