Sporting bounced back to winning ways with a convincing 3-1 victory over Gil Vicente in Lisbon tonight.
First-half goals from Hidemassa Morita and Pote put the hosts in charge, with Rochinha adding a third late on before Fran Navarro notched a stoppage time consolation for struggling Gil Vicente.
With the international break upon us, this week’s episode is a Q&A special.
We answer your questions about the Primeira Liga season so far, including:
In Episode 67 of the Seleção Podcast, host Danny Pinto is joined by Matthew Marshall of PortuGOAL.net, who was in attendance covering Portugal’s 4-0 victory in Prague against the Czech Republic and 1-0 defeat in the group-deciding Nations League loss to Spain in Braga.
Danny and Matthew discussed, among other things, how and why Fernando Santos has lasted so long as Portugal’s manager, if Portugal’s approach to the Nations League has had a negative effect on the adaptation of the younger players to the senior squad and whether Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on the Seleção is hurting more than helping the cause right now.
Standouts scarce as Portugal crash out of UEFA Nations LeagueAfter the thrilling high of victory over Czechia, Portugal were brought spiraling down to earth at the Quarry in Braga last night. Though competitive in the first hour, Portugal's influence dramatically waned in the final 30 minutes during which time Spain slowly tightened the noose until Morata finished the job with minutes left in normal time.
For the visitors, goalkeeper Unai Simón was arguably the pick of the litter. But from amongst the home side, who best preserved their honor in defeat? Once again, Nathan Motz sorts through the emotional wreckage of last night's events to grade each player's performance.
Portugal suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Spain which allowed their Iberian neighbours to steal top spot and earn a place in the UEFA Nations League finals.
The Seleção created all the quality chances in Braga before a disastrous final 15 minutes saw them retreat into their own half.
In scenes almost identical to Portugal’s late capitulation to Serbia in the World Cup qualifiers, they sunk into their shell and eventually paid the price.
The killer blow came in the 88th minute when Álvaro Morata converted from close range, Ronaldo unable to save his side with the last chance in the match.
PortuGOAL’s Matthew Marshall reports from the Quarry
Portugal coach Fernando Santos cut a dejected figure in the post-match press conference after a late Álvaro Morata goal for Spain knocked the Seleção out of the Nations League in Braga tonight.
Midfielder Rúben Neves immediately turned his thoughts to Qatar, saying: “there’s no time to think about this competition any more. We have to focus on the World Cup.”
PortuGOAL rounds up the Portugal 0-1 Spain match reaction.
In Brazil, there appears to be a growing acceptance that a foreign manager could replace current incumbent Tite as coach of the national team after the upcoming Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Among the reported frontrunners is Portuguese boss Abel Ferreira, whose phenomenal success in the country with Palmeiras could see him in line for one of the most prestigious jobs in world football.
Portugal host Spain on Tuesday night in Braga with a place in the Final Four of the Nations League at stake. Provided the Seleção avoid defeat, they will make the decisive phase of the competition, which will be played in the summer of 2023.
Despite the favourable position, it will be no easy task against a Spanish side with its pride wounded following a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Switzerland on Saturday night.
PortuGOAL previews Portugal’s final competitive match before the 2022 World Cup.
Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes lead the wayIn one of those rare performances where everything seemed on song, Manchester United’s effervescent duo of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot proved too devastating a combination for the beleaguered home side. While Czechia did create some danger in the first half, Fernando Santos’ double pivot once again showed its effectiveness.
But who else proved they should remain in Portugal’s starting XI conversation?
Seleção correspondent Nathan Motz closely followed the action last night and graded out Portugal’s key contributors as the Seleção now turns its attention to the showdown in Braga against Spain.
On the day Fernando Santos completed eight years as Portugal coach, the manager was in fine form after guiding his team to a thumping 4-0 victory in Prague against the Czech Republic. “The best is yet to come,” said Santos in a clear allusion to his high expectations for the Seleção at World Cup 2022.
Meanwhile, man-of-the-match Diogo Dalot said that despite requiring only a draw to finish top of the Nations League Group 2, Portugal would be seeking another win against Spain on Tuesday in Braga.
Diogo Dalot was an unlikely hero in Prague where Portugal beat Czech Republic 4-0 in the UEFA Nations League. The Manchester United right-back opened the scoring in the 33rd minute before Bruno Fernandes doubled the advantage in added time.
Patrik Schick missed a penalty on the stroke of half time which proved a pivotal moment in the match. Dalot made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute before Diogo Jota added a fourth to complete the rout.
The victory takes Fernandor Santos’ side the top of Group 2 after Switzerland won 2-1 in Spain. The Seleção now turn their attention to a showdown against La Roja in Braga where a draw will be enough to advance to the UEFA Nations League finals.
PortuGOAL’s Matthew Marshall reports from Fortuna Arena.
Portugal play the Czech Republic in Prague on Saturday evening hoping to get the result needed to leave themselves in a position to finish top of the group when they host Spain the final group game.
A draw or better for the Seleção tomorrow will leave everything to play for in an Iberian showdown in Braga on Tuesday. Portugal are missing the injured Pepe, João Félix and Raphaël Guerreiro and the suspended João Cancelo against the Czechs.
In Episode 66 of the Seleção Podcast, host Danny Pinto is joined by PortuGOAL founder Tom Kundert.
Danny and Tom discuss Rafa Silva’s surprise retirement from the Seleção, Portugal’s roster for the final two matches of Nations League group play, and whether the squad will mostly be the same one we’ll see at the World Cup in Qatar two months from now.
On this week’s show Barney and Albert discuss all the action from Jornada 7 of the Primeira Liga season. Everything falls into place for Benfica and Braga who can’t put a foot wrong at the moment.
At the other end of the spectrum Porto and Sporting continue to struggle and both drop points to fall further behind the league leaders. Outside the Big 4, Paços de Ferreira pick up their first point of the season, Rio Ave and Gil Vicente start to show what they can do, and Famalicão become the second club to sack their manager.
Join Matthew Marshall and Tom Kundert who discuss the latest goings-on across Portuguese football.
As ever, first on the agenda is the Primeira Liga, with all the top-half teams analysed as well as the best of the rest. The recent bad fan behaviour in Portugal is also deliberated on.
The podcast ends with a look at the Portugal squad ahead of the decisive Nations League matches against the Czech Republic and Spain, and also the shock decision by Rafa Silva to retire from the Seleção just two months before the World Cup.
Portugal to finish the group stage as the World Cup looms largeYou can feel it now, can’t you? Excitement percolates. The World Cup crests the horizon, glory awaits… indignity also for those unprepared.
The final significant international football break before the World Cup has descended upon us. Portugal are two key results away from the UNL playoffs. Specifically, a point vs the Czechs and victory over Spain separate Portugal from the semi-finals.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 will commence with the match between the host country Qatar playing against the South American team Ecuador. The game will be played as a stand-alone event on 20th November and will be held at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Both teams are lowly ranked to win the World Cup but make an exciting betting opportunity for punters looking for betting bonuses and a great way to kickstart your world cup betting, and the tournament opener is the first of five matches we have picked out for a flutter.
As the most recent international selections named by Fernando Santos would suggest, Portugal is currently blessed with a marvellous pool of talented players. Indeed, the national team boss even said that when preparing his list, he initially started out with a shortlist containing some 55 names, which must have given him quite the welcome headache when choosing.
Outfield talents are typically those grabbing the headlines most frequently, yet Portugal also boasts a superb array of exceptional goalkeepers. At the moment, the one man all others are competing to replace is Porto’s brilliant young number one Diogo Costa, who appears to be the primary choice for the 2022 World Cup, trusted above and beyond anyone else having displaced 104-capped Rui Patrício.
Feirense overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Oliveirense 3-2 in a game to remember in Santa Maria da Feira, earning their first home win of the season.
Michel Lima opened the scoring in the first half before Duarte Duarte extended Oliveirense’s lead in the 58th minute.
Feirense took advantage of two mistakes from Ricardo Ribeiro to get back into the contest, the goalkeeper failing to stop João Paulo’s low drive and palming the ball to Oche Ochowechi who equalised.
The hosts completed the comeback in added time, João Paredes taking advantage of a howler from Mohammed Lamine to slam the ball home off the underside of the bar.
Just two months before Portugal kick off their FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign in Qatar, Rafa Silva today announced his retirement from the national team.
The speedy front man has been in superb form this season, scoring 6 goals and providing 4 assists in 13 matches, making a huge contribution to Benfica’s sensational 100% winning start to the new campaign.
He was included in the Portugal squad announced by Fernando Santos last week for the Nations League matches and would almost certainly have been in the World Cup squad.
This weekend saw midfielders take much of the goalscoring burden in the Portuguese Abroad section, led by Fábio Vieira and André Almeida scoring their first goals for Arsenal in England and Valencia in Spain respectively.
Elsewhere, João Palhinha is already proving a hero with new club Fulham after a sensational strike in their victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, while in Turkey Sérgio Oliveira struck inside the first minute to open his account for Galatasaray and Miguel Crespo’s goal helped Jorge Jesus and Fenerbahce to victory.
Liga Bwin football pauses for the season’s first international break as early pace-setters Benfica maintained their 100% start to the campaign by thrashing a beleaguered Marítimo, who prop up the table.
Braga have started similarly well, taking second place after a win over Vizela, and taking advantage of a Porto slip up in drawing at Estoril. Surprise packages Portimonense and Casa Pia both recorded victories to keep up terrific opening spells to 2022/23.
Another team arguably in the surprise package category is Boavista, who stunned a domestically struggling Sporting side, in part largely due to a goal of the season contender from PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Bruno Lourenço, the team nailing down fifth place in the process.
Braga made it eight straight wins after two goals in the final 10 minutes secured a 2-0 victory against Vizela.
Vitinha's deflected shot put them ahead in the 83rd minute before the striker assisted Ricardo Horta in added time. Matheus came up big at the other end, the keeper playing his part in the win with two sharp saves.
The victory sees Artur Jorge’s side keep pace with Benfica at the top of the table, Braga with the most potent attack in the Primeira Liga.
PortuGOAL’s Matthew Marshall reports from the Quarry.
Benfica have increased their lead at the top of the Primeira Liga table prior to Sporting de Braga’s clash against Vizela, going five points clear with a 5-0 goal-glut at home to Marítimo.
The Eagles took advantage of slip-ups from bitter rivals FC Porto and Sporting to add to the distance between themselves and the chasers, who trail by five and 11 points respectively after Benfica’s Gonçalo Ramos-led triumph against Marítimo.
Benfica’s serene Sunday was warmed up by Arouca’s encounter with Vitória at home, leaving the hosts with a bitter taste in their mouths following a 102nd minute equaliser from spot-kick-taking Rúben Lameiras.
Elsewhere, Casa Pia prolonged their positive start to the season with their fourth win in seven games, making Famalicão their latest victims in a 1-0 victory in front of their home support.
Boavista continued their strong start to the season with a 2-1 win against Sporting Clube de Portugal. It was an action packed first half that ended with Bruno Lourenço putting the Panthers ahead with a spectacular volley.
Sporting fought back and equalised after Nuno Santos’ rabona cross was headed home by Marcus Edwards. The Lions couldn’t keep it up however, Ricardo Esgaio coming off the bench and conceding a penalty that Lourenço calmly converted.
PortuGOAL’s Matthew Marshall reports from Estádio do Bessa Século XXI.
A lively game on the Lisbon coast this afternoon saw Estoril and Porto share the points after a hard-fought draw at the António Coimbra da Mota stadium.
Estoril went into the break leading thanks to Tiago Gouveia’s goal just before the break. Despite intense Porto pressure, the hosts held out until stoppage time when Mehdi Taremi equalised from the penalty spot.
Gil Vicente scored two late goals in Barcelos to overturn a 2-0 deficit and earn a thrilling 2-2 draw against Rio Ave.
Guga gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of half-time before Aziz Yakubu finished a slick counterattack in the 71st minute.
Fran Navarro lobbed Jhonatan in the 80th minute before Guga was sent off to set up a grandstand finish. Murilo de Souza was the hero deep into added time, the ball sitting perfectly for the Brazilian who smashed it into the net.
Portuguese full-back Nuno Tavares has been named Marseille’s Player of the Month for August, after a goal-laden start to life in Ligue 1 this season.
Tavares, who arrived on a season-long loan deal from English side Arsenal, scored three goals in his first four matches at the Stade Veledrome as Marseille have enjoyed their best-ever start in the French top flight.
Palmeiras’ Portuguese manager Abel Ferreira is reportedly filing a lawsuit against one of Brazil’s most famous journalists, after he was accused of having a “coloniser’s viewpoint” when discussing the discipline of his players.
Reporter Mauro Cezar Pereira is being sued by the former Braga boss for comments made surrounding a disciplinary issue regarding Gabriel Veron in July. Now at FC Porto, Veron was fined for some after-hours drinking and Abel’s assessment of the situation led to some strong comments by Pereira in the Brazilian media.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot as Manchester United cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sheriff in the Europa League last night.
Ronaldo’s first-half spot kick added to an opener by Jadon Sancho, giving United a much-needed three points in Group E. Ronaldo has been slowly building his fitness and after the match United manager Erik ten Hag was positive about the Portugal captain’s progress under his new regime.
