Portugal will head into a major international tournament for the first time as a defending champion. Portugal often head into major tournaments with the dark-horses tag and in some matches are even labeled as underdogs. It was the same in 2016 when the Cristiano Ronaldo-led side travelled to France. But they defied the odds to lift the trophy, upsetting favourites and hosts France in the final with an extra-time goal from Eder. As defending champions, there will be a different kind of pressure, which is something the country has never experienced.
In Group F, Portugal are in the “Group of Death,” alongside France, Germany, and Hungary. They did win the UEFA Nations League two years ago, beating the Netherlands in the final. It will give hope to their fans of having an extended run in the continental cup. However, the Euros is a much bigger ball game, and their head coach Fernando Santos knows it. But one should not forget that this is arguably the best squad Portugal has had in a long time.
There is no dearth of attacking players in the squad. Infact there are many players in the team, who have had an exceptional season with their clubs and will be hoping to repeat that form in the summer tournament. But the real question is – can they live up to the defending champions tag?
There are two most notable moments in Portugal’s European history. They lost to Greece in 2004 in the final despite being the host nation and surprisingly won the tournament in 2016, beating hosts France. Euro 2004 was rich in surprises and upsets as Germany, Spain, and Italy were eliminated in the group stage, while defending champions France were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Greece.
Portugal came back from a shock first-round loss to Greece to advance to the final, defeating England and the Netherlands along the way. With a goal from Angelos Charisteas, Greece overcame Portugal in the final, leaving the hosts in tears. The final match featured the same teams as the opening match for the first time in a major European football event. Greece’s victory was rather surprising, given that they had previously only qualified for two big tournaments – the UEFA Euro 1980 and the FIFA World Cup 1994. However, Portugal eventually got their hands on the trophy 12 years later.
Overcoming a mediocre start, the Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired side defied odds to reach the final. Tournament hosts France awaited them in the title clash. With Ronaldo getting substituted in the first half, owing to an injury, Portugal’s chances of a miraculous win became even slimmer. But to everyone’s surprise, Eder scored the only goal of the match in injury time to help Portugal win their first major international tournament.
Portugal do not need to go any further than their star forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, for inspiration. The Juventus striker is just six goals shy of the all-time international scoring record. The former Manchester United player has scored 107 goals for the Portugal national team and is second behind former Iranian footballer Ali Daei’s tally of 109 goals.
The 36-year-old has an opportunity to equal or overtake his record this summer. Besides, there is no shortage of attacking talent in the Portugal ranks. From Man United’s talisman Bruno Fernandes to Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP) and Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), they have a lot of creativity in the final third. Besides, most of their star players are heading into the tournament on the back of impressive club performances. Fernandes was United’s best player as they finished second in the Premier League and reached the Europa League final.
Man City trio Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Joao Cancelo starred in a City team that won a domestic double, including the league. Among others, Ronaldo was at his usual best for Juventus, while Andre Silva (Eintracht Frankfurt), Guedes, and Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton) impressed with their respective clubs. Portugal also have some of the best full-backs in Europe at their disposal. They have good options in the right-back with Cancelo and Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton), and left-back – Nuno Mendes (Sporting Lisbon), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund).
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Portugal will head into a major international tournament for the first time as a defending champion. Portugal often head into major tournaments with the dark-horses tag and in some matches are even labeled as underdogs. It was the same in 2016 when the Cristiano Ronaldo-led side travelled to France. But they defied the odds to lift the trophy, upsetting favourites and hosts France in the final with an extra-time goal from Eder. As defending champions, there will be a different kind of pressure, which is something the country has never experienced.
In Group F, Portugal are in the “Group of Death,” alongside France, Germany, and Hungary. They did win the UEFA Nations League two years ago, beating the Netherlands in the final. It will give hope to their fans of having an extended run in the continental cup. However, the Euros is a much bigger ball game, and their head coach Fernando Santos knows it. But one should not forget that this is arguably the best squad Portugal has had in a long time.
There is no dearth of attacking players in the squad. Infact there are many players in the team, who have had an exceptional season with their clubs and will be hoping to repeat that form in the summer tournament. But the real question is – can they live up to the defending champions tag?
There are two most notable moments in Portugal’s European history. They lost to Greece in 2004 in the final despite being the host nation and surprisingly won the tournament in 2016, beating hosts France. Euro 2004 was rich in surprises and upsets as Germany, Spain, and Italy were eliminated in the group stage, while defending champions France were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Greece.
Portugal came back from a shock first-round loss to Greece to advance to the final, defeating England and the Netherlands along the way. With a goal from Angelos Charisteas, Greece overcame Portugal in the final, leaving the hosts in tears. The final match featured the same teams as the opening match for the first time in a major European football event. Greece’s victory was rather surprising, given that they had previously only qualified for two big tournaments – the UEFA Euro 1980 and the FIFA World Cup 1994. However, Portugal eventually got their hands on the trophy 12 years later.
Overcoming a mediocre start, the Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired side defied odds to reach the final. Tournament hosts France awaited them in the title clash. With Ronaldo getting substituted in the first half, owing to an injury, Portugal’s chances of a miraculous win became even slimmer. But to everyone’s surprise, Eder scored the only goal of the match in injury time to help Portugal win their first major international tournament.
Portugal do not need to go any further than their star forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, for inspiration. The Juventus striker is just six goals shy of the all-time international scoring record. The former Manchester United player has scored 107 goals for the Portugal national team and is second behind former Iranian footballer Ali Daei’s tally of 109 goals.
The 36-year-old has an opportunity to equal or overtake his record this summer. Besides, there is no shortage of attacking talent in the Portugal ranks. From Man United’s talisman Bruno Fernandes to Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP) and Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), they have a lot of creativity in the final third. Besides, most of their star players are heading into the tournament on the back of impressive club performances. Fernandes was United’s best player as they finished second in the Premier League and reached the Europa League final.
Man City trio Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Joao Cancelo starred in a City team that won a domestic double, including the league. Among others, Ronaldo was at his usual best for Juventus, while Andre Silva (Eintracht Frankfurt), Guedes, and Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton) impressed with their respective clubs. Portugal also have some of the best full-backs in Europe at their disposal. They have good options in the right-back with Cancelo and Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton), and left-back – Nuno Mendes (Sporting Lisbon), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund).
