Internationals | Trio in weekend action

24th June 2024

Dexter Lembikisa joined Nelson Semedo and Pedro Neto in international action this weekend, with Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024 now in full swing.

On Saturday evening, Neto and Semedo came off the bench to book Portugal’s place in the knockout stages out in Germany, following a routine win over Turkey in Dortmund.

Also, over the weekend, Jamaica began their Copa America campaign against Mexico and Lembikisa played the full 90 minutes in their narrow defeat.

Semedo, Neto, Sa | Portugal 3-0 Turkey

After making a big impact in a small amount of time on matchday one against Czech Republic, where he set up a late winner, Neto was given more minutes for Portugal over the weekend.

With the Portuguese 2-0 up at the break thanks to Bernardo Silva’s opener and a Samet Akaydin own goal, Neto was introduced for the second half and was lively throughout, as his country made their lead even more comfortable.

Bruno Fernandes added a third after the break and the Portuguese continued to dominate and secure their place as group winners, ahead of the knockout stages.

Semedo also came off the bench for the second game running on 68 minutes and helped see out the victory. Jose Sa was an unused substitute in what was Portugal’s second successive victory.

Group F concludes for Roberto Martinez’s side on Wednesday when they take on Georgia in Gelsenkirchen, ahead of their last 16 match on Monday 1^st July.

Lembikisa | Jamaica 0-1 Mexico

For Jamaica, Lembikisa played the full 90 minutes as their Copa America campaign began with defeat to Mexico, following a tight contest in Houston.

The 20-year-old, fresh from a loan spell with Hearts above the border, started at right-wing back as the Jamaicans went in goalless at the break.

West Ham United’s Michail Antonio thought he’d put his country ahead on 52 minutes, only for VAR to intervene and rule it out.

That decision proved costly, as on 69 minutes the Mexicans won the game with a goal from CF Monterrey’s Gerardo Arteaga.

Up next for the The Reggae Boyz is a meeting with Ecuador on Wednesday in Las Vegas, before the group concludes against Venezuela in Austin. Venezuela beat Ecuador 2-1 in the group’s other opening game.