PORTUGAL were the impressive 4-0 winners against Northern Ireland in Leiria in the first of a Euro qualifying group double header.
Carole Costa opened the scoring for the hosts from the spot on 25 minutes before Lucia Alves’ skillful goal doubled their lead.
Substitute Catarina Amado made it 3-0 with a similar finish to Alves, who netted again deep into stoppage time.
Portugal dominated from the start and had a huge chance to open the scoring in the opening minutes when a slack back-pass gave Telma Encarnacao a great opportunity, but a crucial block from Rebecca McKenna denied her header.
The home side continued to press and the pressure paid off as McKenna fouled Alves in the box on the 25th minute, with Costa coolly firing the resulting penalty home after Burns guessed the wrong way.
Portugal continued to dominate proceedings and Burns was called into action to deny efforts from Silva and Alves before half-time.
However, it wasn’t long until it was 2-0 as, just after the restart, a lobbed finish from Alves beat Burns from 16 yards.
Then Andreia Norton’s looping header bounced off the top of the bar as the home side were not content to win by just two goals, with the busy Encarnacao firing an effort just over the top shortly after.
Burns continued to impress and denied strikes from Nazareth and Diana Silva, but the goals weren’t done there as substitute Amando scored with five minutes remaining, producing a similar finish to Alves after controlling Costa’s through-ball and firing over the Northern Ireland stopper.
Deep into stoppage time Alves netted her second of the evening with a low finish into the bottom near corner in what was a very impressive performance from the Benfica player and the whole Portugal side.
Northern Ireland remain in second place in Group B3 despite the defeat, one point ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and will have the chance to seek revenge on Tuesday when they welcome Portugal to Mourneview Park, Lurgan.
