The Republic of Ireland bounced back from the earlier 1-0 loss to Portugal, by beating their hosts 3-1 on Sunday in the second of two friendly internationals.
Colin Bell’s team took a 34th-minute lead, Heather Payne winning possession and passing to Leanne Kiernan, whose cross was headed home by Katie McCabe.
The advantage was doubled 3 minutes into the second half, a long ball over the top finding Kiernan who finished past goalkeeper Inês Pereira.
McCabe set up the third with cross from a short corner which Louise Quinn headed home off the post and Diana Silva then scored a consolation goal for the hosts with 10 minutes remaining.
Head Coach Colin Bell told fai.ie: “It was a deserved victory. We were much better today. I thought we were very sluggish on Thursday, maybe the long journey had an effect but that was much improved.
“We made a couple of changes and put two up front, and I think we created plenty of problems for Portugal. They’re a very good side but as soon as we scored the first goal, we were in control of the game and got the result.
“They were fantastic goals and I’m delighted for Leanne Kiernan who performed to the levels we know she’s capable of today. She’s trained really well over the past two days and got a deserved goal, I’m delighted for her.
“They were plenty of great performances and it’s been another important week as we continue to prepare for the [World Cup] qualifiers in April. This is a great result to keep that momentum going and we can take plenty of confidence from this.”
Portugal: Inês Pereira, Ana Borges, Sílvia Rebelo (C), Mónica Mendes, Dolores Silva, Tatiana Pinto, Andreia Norton (Francisca Cardoso, 58), Vanessa Marques (Mélissa Antunes, 58), Jéssica Silva (Carolina Mendes, 46), Diana Silva
Unused subs: Patrícia Morais, Raquel Infante, Diana Gomes, Ana Viegas, Ana Capeta.
Republic of Ireland: Marie Hourihan, Harriet Scott, Louise Quinn, Niham Fahey, Diane Caldwell, Denise O’Sullivan, Tyler Toland, Heather Payne, Katie McCabe (C), Ruesha Littlejohn (Roma McLaughin, 81), Leanne Kiernan (Isibeal Atkinson, 90)
Unused subs: Amanda Budden, Amanda McQuillan, Claire O’Riordan, Amber Barrett, Eabha O’Mahony, Aislinn Meaney, Amy Boyle-Carr, Zara Foley.
