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Some bookies may have them at 8/1, longer odds than England, but Portugal are the defending champions and the team to beat at Euro 2020.
It was a magic (if moth-filled!) night for the Seleçao in Paris back in 2016 when unlikely hero Eder wrote his name into the history books with Portugal's matchwinner in the final of Euro 2016.
Five years on and, for many, Portugal are a stronger outfit, as players like João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Neves, Diogo Jota and João Félix were not even in their squad back in 2016.
With just four defeats in official games since Fernando Santos was appointed in October 2014, the Portuguese look as ready as they will ever be for an assault on back-to-back Euro titles.
With the defending champs kicking off their title defence against Hungary tonight, here's all you need to know about the Seleçao. For an in-depth look at all 24 nations competing this summer, please check out our Euro 2020 guide!
Fernando Santos is the most successful coach in the history of Portuguese football having won the Euros and the Nations League, the first trophies in the country's history.
Tactically, he switches between 4-3-3 and 4-4-2, the latter his preferred option as it allows Cristiano Ronaldo to play more centrally without isolating him.
Ronaldo is, in fact, a blessing and a curse for Santos - he may be the best in the world, but Portugal always tend to go through their superstar and can become predictable at times.
The team has played some amazing football without Ronaldo, but obviously when he’s fit and available, he’s a certain starter. Santos is certainly a manager who will trade result for performance, Portugal’s pragmatic success in 2016 fully vindicating such an approach.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who else?
For better or worse, CR7 is Portugal’s matchwinner and the conduit through which their attack flows. With 103 international goals to his name, it’s fair to say it’s not worked out badly for either party!
Although Ronaldo’s presence may clip the wings of stellar talents such as Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and João Félix, it’s a small price to pay given the serial Ballon d’Or winner’s prolific output and sky-high standards.
Many Portuguese fans would like to see him booted off free-kicks, though - specialists like Fernandes, Raphael Guerreiro and Ruben Neves currently get the ball swiped out of their hands.
He may enter the tournament as a La Liga champion, but João Felix indisputably plays second fiddle to Ronaldo on the international stage, as he has done to Luis Suarez at Atletico Madrid.
Despite regular flashes of his enormous talent, the truth is that Felix is yet to realise his full potential for club or country, but perhaps we will see the best of him at these Euros.
A goalscorer and a playmaker, now would be the perfect time for Felix to throw down a marker and step out of Ronaldo’s considerable shadow.
Sporting defender Nuno Mendes also deserves a quick mention - at just 18, he has been superb for the Portuguese champions this season and will soon be a household name.
Prior to the tournament, we checked in with Portuguese football journalist Luis Rocha Rodrigues to glean his thoughts regarding his country's chances at Euro 2020:
"Historically, Portugal have never been pre-tournament favourites like Germany, Italy, France, Spain or England have been. However, nowadays, we no longer see ourselves as outsiders - it’s hard to when you are the European champions!
"Our squad is as good as any in the competition and I’m actually glad we’re in the so-called ‘Group of Death’.
"In the past, Portugal have struggled to get out of easier groups, but exceeded expectations when they have had a tough draw. So, as we're playing against two recent world champions (Germany and France), I am very, very confident!"
🔝 'Best in class' at #Euro2020 so far*:
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) June 14, 2021
🔑: Key passes - 🇮🇹BERARDI x5
⏯: Intercepts - 🇺🇦Zabarnyi x5
💥: Tackles - 🇺🇦Zinchenko x8
🔁: Succ. dribbles - 🇳🇱F de Jong x5
▶: Succ. passes - 🇧🇪Alderweireld x 101
☁: Aerials won - 🇷🇺Dzyuba, 🇫🇮Arajuuri x 10
* exc. Scotland v Czech Rep pic.twitter.com/YjWC2DnnlE
0-3 | ||
Raphaël Guerreiro 84' Cristiano Ronaldo 87' (pen.) 90' |
