Portugal

News, commentary, tickets, pre and post match reaction alongside opinion about the Portugal national football team.

June 4, 2021June 9, 2021 David

Europe, Tickets, World Cup

Karim Benzema Back In France Euro 2020 Squad

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been named in France’s 26-man squad for this summer’s European Championship after an absence of nearly six years.

Benzema has not played for his country since 2015 as a result of his alleged involvement in an attempted blackmail case involving an ex-France team-mate.

After confirming Benzema was in his squad, France manager Didier Deschamps said: “The most important is today and tomorrow.

“There were important steps. We saw each other. We discussed at length. I had a long reflection to come to this decision. I won’t reveal a word of the discussion, that concerns us. I needed it, he needed it “. Read more... (571 words, estimated 2:17 mins reading time)

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February 20, 2021March 6, 2021 David

Europe, Tickets

Euro 2020 Draw: Germany, France And Portugal Drawn In Same Group

One of France, Germany and Portugal may face an early exit after being drawn together in Group F for Euro 2020 in what has already been dubbed the ‘Group of Death’.

They will be joined in the so-called ‘Group of Death’ by a team from Path A/D following the tournament draw in Bucharest.

That Path A/D team could be any of Iceland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Georgia, Belarus, North Macedonia or Kosovo.

While England avoided those team in the group stage, they could find themselves playing of the three in the last 16. Read more... (288 words, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

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June 9, 2019March 28, 2020 David

World Cup

Portugal Win First UEFA Nations League

There was moment deep in the second half when Cristiano Ronaldo went back into his own penalty area and began to bark out orders.

Rui Patricio, the Wolves goalkeeper, was lectured; so too was Portugal left-back Raphael Guerreiro. The hosts had just taken the lead in the Nations League final and the message from the man who has carried his country’s hopes and dreams was clear: this does not slip.

Ronaldo will never forget the pain he went through in 2004, when Portugal lost at home in the final of the European Championships to Greece, and it would be wrong to say that this new tournament carried the same kind of emotion and kudos. Read more... (612 words, estimated 2:27 mins reading time)

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November 21, 2018October 30, 2020 David

Europe, Tickets

England Heading To Nations League Semi-Finals

It looked like being a summer without any tournament football for England.

Up until the 85th minute against Croatia, the Three Lions were staring at relegation to the second tier of the Nations League, before skipper Harry Kane slid in the winning goal to send Wembley Stadium into raptures.

The country will be hoping for another heatwave in 2019 and England only need to win two more games to bring the trophy home.

Here is everything you need to know about the Nations League finals. Read more... (288 words, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

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November 21, 2018October 30, 2020 David

Europe, Tickets

Euro 2020: Germany Falls To Second Pot

The 2020 EURO qualification just got a little more interesting with the news that UEFA has confirmed that Italy will be in Pot 1 and that Germany and Iceland will be in pot 2.

Joining Italy will be seeded alongside Belgium, France, Spain, Croatia and Poland.

Switzerland, Portugal, Netherlands and England are in their own Nations League pot after winning their respective groups.

The quartet are already assured of a playoff spot and will be drawn the first position in Groups A–D to ensure they each have two dates free to play the Nations League Finals in June. Read more... (262 words, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)

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September 12, 2018October 30, 2020 David

Barcelona, Champions League, Europa League, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid

Spain Dominates FIFPro World XI Nominations

FIFPro, the worldwide players’ union, and FIFA have announced the 55 names in contention for the FIFA FIFPro World11 2018.

The FIFA FIFPro World11 is decided by the players, for the players and involves votes from almost 25,000 professional footballers from 65 different countries. During voting, they each select one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

This year’s list includes some familiar names, and standout statistics. Ten of last year’s World11 return to make the 55-man list, with Real Madrid the most-represented club side, seeing a full 11 players make the cut. Spain (nine) and France (eight) are the countries with the most players represented on the list. Read more... (618 words, estimated 2:28 mins reading time)

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September 7, 2013October 30, 2020 David

World Cup

World Cup Qualifying: Belgium Close In On Brazil While Portugal and England Win

In a big night of European World Cup qualifying, five of the nine group leaders closed in on Brazil with wins. Belgium, Italy and Germany all took a giant step towards Brazil, as did the Netherlands, despite being held to a shock draw in Estonia. Montenegro, who secured a useful point in Poland, were joined at the top of Group H by England, while Portugal, despite coming from behind to win in Northern Ireland, can still feel Russia breathing down their necks. Read more... (927 words, 1 image, estimated 3:42 mins reading time)

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