International youth: Portugal U16 player snaps corner flag sparking chaotic delay in Rio Maior (videos)

Portugal's Under-16s continued their impressive run in the National Teams Preparation Tournament on Saturday, securing their second win in as many games with a 2-0 victory over Romania at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior. However, following on from their opening 2-1 triumph against Denmark, the morning's biggest talking point was a bizarre incident that brought play to an unexpected halt.

It all unfolded in the 49th minute when Paulo Leite, brilliantly set up by Alexandre Panzo, broke the deadlock. Overcome with emotion, the young Portuguese forward got carried away during his celebrations, kicking the corner flag with such force that it snapped clean in two.

With the corner flag broken, play could not resume, sparking a frantic scramble pitchside. Officials initially attempted a makeshift repair on the damaged pole, but it quickly became clear that the damage was irreversible.

The refereeing team was forced to suspend the match for several minutes until an assistant referee managed to retrieve a replacement flag from the dressing rooms and install it on the pitch.

Late in the game, Lorenzo Reimão made sure of the result, scoring to seal a 2-0 victory for the Portuguese side.

Portugal Under-16s play their third and final match of the tournament on Tuesday, October 6, against Turkey at 11:00 am — hopefully with slightly more restrained celebrations this time around.