Cristiano Ronaldo missed out as Portugal beat Sweden 3-0 on Wednesday night – and that meant Diogo Jota was given a chance to shine.
Fernando Santos decided to use Jota on the left flank, supporting Bernardo Silva and Joao Felix in the final third.
Portugal enjoyed a superb night as Jota ran riot, but it was Bernardo who opened the scoring from Jota’s pass.
Jota smashed home the second, then added another as he drove in from the left flank before firing past Everton new boy Robin Olsen.
This was only Jota’s seventh cap for Portugal, but he took his chance in style with two goals and one assist.
The 23-year-old will now be hoping to play for Liverpool against Everton this weekend, especially having made his first start against Aston Villa before the international break.
Jota joined Liverpool for £41million last month, but now claims he has experienced something even better than making his move to Anfield.
After his dream display for Portugal last night, Jota told O Jogo that whilst joining Liverpool was a ‘big step forward’, starring for his country is now the highest moment of his career to date.
“Yes, I think it is the highest moment, and [moving to Liverpool] was a big step forward in my career,” said Jota. “Today I started again in the national team, I have to do my best,” he added.
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