Portugal Should Enjoy Euro 2016 Win, but 2018 World Cup Qualifiers Will Be Tough

The red and green ticker tape has long since been picked up from the grass of the Stade de France and the streets of Lisbon, and so what now for Portugal? Well, in short, rest. Whatever your opinion of this Portugal team and their performances in winning Euro 2016, you can’t deny that the effort they put into winning the tournament means Fernando Santos’ men deserve a well-earned break... 

Why Portugal Are Deserving European Champions in Football’s Year of the Underdog

For a tournament where the drama was often centred on the moments and feelings around the football, and not the purity of the football itself, there was a fitting ending. That’s right, Portugal. The football gods were going to see to it that you could win this thing, but you were going to have to do it without your captain, your icon and one of the greatest players the world has seen. Fortunately... 

Why Euro 2016 Final Could See Nani Emerge from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Shadow

Even if all the previews will focus on one individual for Portugal, they had a pair of players who scored two crucial goals in the group stages and one in the semi-finals against Wales. Although all of the Portuguese buildup to the Euro 2016 final is focusing on Cristiano Ronaldo, remember to make room for Nani. Largely impressive at this tournament, the winger, now at the ripe old age of 29—where... 

3 France Weaknesses Portugal Could Expose in the Euro 2016 Final

Now they’ve made it to Paris, albeit hardly thrillingly, Portugal need to focus on how they can pull off what would be one of the more unlikely European Championship successes on Sunday. The odds will be heavily stacked in favour of hosts France, who have certainly impressed during their month of performing in front of their own fans, but they—and Portugal, for that matter—have had... 

Why Euro 2016 Run Has to Be Seen as Just the Start for Beaten but Proud Wales

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were the eventual and deserving winners of the Euro 2016 semi-final in Lyon on Wednesday night, but for a beaten and emotionally drained Wales, there was the acknowledgement of a different kind of victory. The battle for relevance, never mind prominence, on the international football stage is one that has long since consumed Welsh footballers of several vintages. Since... 

Why Portugal Are Seeking to Avoid Becoming Europe’s Biggest Chokers vs. Wales

Contrary to popular belief, Portugal are playing Wales in Lyon on Wednesday night, and not just Cristiano Ronaldo playing Gareth Bale. Two of the most recognisable faces in world football might be the ones staring back at you from every pre-match tweet, video or article ahead of the most unforeseen of Euro 2016 semi-finals, but what both teams have come to represent will be on show, too. For Wales,... 

How Renato Sanches Gave Portugal a Glimpse of the Present and Future vs. Poland

Portugal seem to believe that playing the long game is the best route to Euro 2016 success. Now into the semi-finals in France, Fernando Santos’ team have yet to win a match in 90 minutes at the tournament. They have drawn with Iceland, Austria, Hungary, Croatia and now Poland before, in the latter two cases, getting the job done later on. If that’s the plan, then it’s working. But... 

Why Poland Clash Can Finally See Portugal’s William Carvalho Hit the Big Time

There are some players who are just drawn to the transfer rumour mill, seemingly locked in a loving embrace with it as they go around and around without ever actually making the moves that many have said are inevitable. Of course, football transfers are often a lot more complicated than many seem to think they are. This isn’t like Football Manager, where all it takes is a click of a mouse to... 

Why Jose Fonte’s Long Road to the Top Can Be Euro 2016 Inspiration for Portugal

It has been a Euro 2016 tournament in which the underdog stories have been the ones to savour, and Portugal were able to tap into one of their own during the long old slog that it took to beat Croatia in Lens on Saturday night. With the ageing Ricardo Carvalho having been dropped from the side following his cat on a hot tin roof of a performance in the 3-3 draw with Hungary, coach Fernando Santos opted... 

Portugal Remain Unconvincing, but Croatia Win Can Be Their Tipping Point

Nothing worth winning is won easily, and as Portugal suddenly find themselves in the last eight of Euro 2016 on Sunday morning, that theme will be running through the team’s training camp. It required extra time, two hours of largely forgettable football and an awful lot of luck, but the 1-0 victory over Croatia in Lens Saturday night has ensured this Portugal side can continue what is a fantastic... 

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