July 10, 2016 is a date scorched into the memory of anyone who has ever admired Portugal and its football. As Eder ran toward the bench with his fists clenched, the worldwide Portuguese community went into uproar. This week is the anniversary of that hallowed night in Paris. Also, this week is exactly one year out until the World Cup semi-finals in Russia. While the hearts of many Seleção fans are hoping to be gathering together in a year’s time for another penultimate match, our minds know there is still plenty of work to be done. With a massive contest against Switzerland looming, nothing is certain. Still, it is hard to picture this talented side at home next summer and not competing for the world title. With Fernando Santos to most certainly still be at the helm, let us look at how we might line up in Russia. While there are still many kinks for Santos to work out in the next 11 months, I still expect him to employ a 4-1-3-2 type of formation. Continue reading
quaresma
How Will Portugal Move Forward?
Photo: Getty Images Europe
With the Seleção’s surprise triumph this summer still fresh in the football world’s mind, Fernando Santos will soon begin preparations to move the team forward. To begin this transition, Portugal will play two games in early September. First, the team will face Gibraltar on September 1st in the first ever meetings between the two nations. Five days later, Switzerland and Portugal will kick off both teams’ 2018 World Cup qualification campaigns. Santos will likely choose a much different squad than what was selected for the European Championship. Post-tournament friendlies are typically used as a means for experimentation and as such typically involve new players, but Santos will have to balance experimentation with results. While the result of the Gibraltar match is inconsequential, Santos will surely be looking to get a win against Switzerland, who are on paper Portugal’s most difficult opponents in their qualification group. Here’s a list of who I would argue deserves to be selected by Santos. Continue reading
Éder Opens Portugal Account
Italy 0-1 Portugal
International Friendly
After almost three years appearing for the Seleção, Éder scored his first goal today, as Portugal scraped through a 1-0 victory over Italy in a friendly match played in Geneva, Switzerland. For fans of the Portuguese team, Éder has gained a reputation for profligacy in front of goal, despite impressive (yet waning) performances in Portugal for Braga. His excellent finish from Ricardo Quaresma’s trivela cross in the 52nd minute was all Portugal needed to earn the victory, despite going long spells during the match on the back-foot. Continue reading
Primeira Liga Week in Review – Round 19
Ricardo Quaresma’s stunning trivela goal stole the show. Photo: Maisfutebol
After last weekend’s upset-filled action, Round 19 returned a sense of normalcy. Sporting, Braga, Benfica, and Porto all recorded wins over potentially tricky opponents, while Nacional and Rio Ave continued to climb the table. Here’s all the action, as it happened. Continue reading
Portuguese National Team: Highs and Lows
Fernando Santos led the team to two wins against two difficult opponents
It was a big week for the National team heading into games 3 & 4 of Fernando Santos’ tenure. The good news now is in competitive matches he sports a 2-0 record, and overall has a record of 3 wins from 4 matches. I for one was not a fan of the hiring because with his pending suspension it puts the team in a precarious situation, but not one to cry over spilled milk, I also like to give folks a chance before I criticize them. Continue reading
Last-Gasp Goal Pushes Portugal Past World Cup Finalists
Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Cristian Ansaldi, of Argentina. Photo: AP/Jon Super
Portugal 1-0 Argentina
International Friendly
A last-minute goal from 20 year-old left back Raphael Guerreiro was enough to give Portugal a narrow 1-0 win over Argentina in a match played at Manchester United’s home ground, Old Trafford. The build-up to the match was predictably centered around the Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry, but neither player influenced the game too heavily, and both exited play at half time. Overall, many would probably agree that the final scoreline did not reflect the way the game unfolded, but Fernando Santos and co. surely won’t complain. Continue reading
Preview: Portugal vs Argentina
Ronaldo could be the star of the show against Argentina
Having narrowly edged Armenia on Friday, the Portuguese national team faces much stiffer competition at Manchester United’s home ground Old Trafford as the Seleccao are pitted up against World Cup finalists Argentina in an international friendly. Cristiano Ronaldo once again saved Portuguese blushes against Armenia and the spotlight will be on the Portuguese superstar as he competes with rival Lionel Messi to steal the show at a place he once called his professional home. Continue reading
Portugal Edge Well-Organized Armenia Side
Portugal 1-0 Armenia
Euro 2016 Qualification
In a tense affair at the Estadio Algarve, Cristiano Ronaldo proved the catalyst once again netting the only goal in a 1-0 Portugal victory. Continue reading
Week in Review: Portuguese Football Highs and Lows
It was an exciting week in Portuguese Football with the National Team in the limelight to start. Definitely many a headline made for Ronaldo and his team mates. We covered the National Team news daily here at PortugalFutbol during the week, also os Tres Grandes made many a headline in the English press, so let’s round-up the week’s news. Continue reading
Last-Minute Ronaldo Header Snatches Portugal a Win in Copenhagen
Denmark 0-1 Portugal
It took a very late goal from Cristiano Ronaldo to do it, but, Fernando Santos’ new-look Portuguese National Team picked up their first victory and first three points of Euro 2016 qualifying in Copenhagen on Tuesday, defeating Denmark 1-0. Continue reading
