Portuguese Soccer News

formerly Portuguese Soccer News Links

The Portugal Report 030

Edition 030 – October 16, 2024

Portugal National Team Edition

Portugal have one foot in the quarter-final round of the Nations League as they sit atop their group on ten points, six points clear of third place Poland with two group games remaining, Portugal need just one point in final two games to clinch a top two finish and advance.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his all time leading 133rd international goal in win over Poland and his third goal in Nations League qualifying, the streak was snapped in scoreless draw to Scotland.

Bernardo Silva moves into the Top 10 in all time Portugal Caps

Renato Veiga and Samu Costa get first Caps for Portugal

The revamped 2024-25 UEFA Nations League and how it works

Bernardo Silva now sits tied in eighth spot with Bruno Alves in all time Caps for Portugal at 96. The 30 year old made his first appearance for Portugal in March 2015 against Cape Verde. He captured the player of the tournament in Portugal’s 2019 Nations League winning campaign. An injury kept Silva out of the Champion Euro 2016 squad.
Chelsea left/center back Renato Veiga and Mallorca’s defensive midfielder Samu Costa both earned their first caps for Portugal in the nations dominating victory over Poland in Nations League qualifying. Veiga got the start for Portugal at center back along side veteran cog Ruben Dias, while Samu was brought in for the final minutes of the game to help preserve the Quinas victory.
UEFA has once again revamped their Nations League competition that now sees the top two countries in the A Group advance to a two leg home and home quarter-final with the winners advancing to the Final Four tournament which is normally hosted by one of the four countries. The fourth place squad in League A drops to League B while the third place finisher will play the runner up in League B for a spot in League A.

NATIONS LEAGUE 2024-25 QUALIFYING PAGE