But Poles shock Portugal in U21s

A rotated Portugal side drew their final game in the UEFA Nations League group stage in controversial circumstances at the Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques in Guimarães. Fernando Santos rang the changes with top spot in the group already secure.

The home side took the lead with just over a half an hour gone in the game when André Silva’s clever near post header beat Wojciech Szczęsny after Renato Sanches’ corner. A controversial penalty and even more dubious sending off for Danilo Pereira allowed Poland back into the game, Arkadiusz Milik finishing coolly from the spot after having to retake his initial shot to give Poland an important point.

Earlier in the afternoon, the same two nations went head to head at U21 level in the northern tip of Portugal in Chaves. And the young Poles shocked the hosts by winning 3-1 to shatter the dreams of a talented Seleção squad and claim a berth at next summer’s European Championship tournament at the expense of Rui Jorge’s team.

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  Luis Ribeiro — I watched Diogo Goncalves now for two years at the youth level (u20 WC especially) and IMO any one who puts a talent like that in a tournement like this at wing back should be automatically fired. He also didn't do so well with a stacked team last year in the U21 Euro. Time to get Rui outta there, ......

Italy 0-0 Portugal

Portugal were outplayed from the first minute, but found the will to endure a stern test from Italy and earn the result they needed to win their Nations League group tonight in Milan. 

Roberto Mancini clearly understood what was at stake and his side relentlessly pressed the visitors, but Portugal were resolute and gave away relatively few clear chances.

Big performances from José Fonte and the rest of the back four were instrumental as Portugal were forced to hold on for long stretches of the game, especially in the first half. The win marks another crucial milestone in the the squad's evolution without Cristiano Ronaldo. 

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  joe — another very poor game by the selecao reminding us of the Morocco game at the WC. Once again easily intimidated, giving possession at the drop of a hat and general lack of personality leaving the defense to run for their lives throughout. The only reason they weren't losing by 3 or 4 at the half was......
  Ivo — It was a bit of a strange game in that although Portugal were starved of possession I still got the feeling that at most we would bend and not break. The Fonte Dias CB pairing was somewhat surprisingly solid, though of course it helps when the rest of the team is parking the bus. It’s hard to fa......
  jon/usa — Bonucci also said that Santos' decision to move Bernardo Silva to midfield helped Portugal nullify Marco Verratti, who was running rings around Pizzi the entire first half. Bernardo may have had a very quiet game by his standards, but his ability to work tirelessly (and intelligently) without the ba......

Former Rio Ave boss Miguel Cardoso has been appointed the new manager of Spanish club Celta de Vigo. The highly-rated Portuguese coach arrives at the Balaidos to take over from Antonio Mohamed, who was sacked by the La Liga outfit earlier this week.

Meanwhile, veteran ex-Benfica coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed that he is seeking a quick return to Portuguese football next year, having turned down the option of extending his current contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

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  Miggy — Hahahaa, I fully understand, Sean! He better hit the ground running though just to make up for that....
  Sean Gillen — I decided to spare him a mention of that, Miggy. Poor guy could use a break! ...
  Miggy — No mention to Cardoso's painfull awkward moment when he referred to Celta was DEPORTIVO!!? Talk about foot in mouth. Also, despite the situation at Benfica (I don't seem to be as negative as others, but football fans can be fickle) I would not like to see Jorge Jesus. We lost far too much young t......

Liga NOS is finely poised as the league pauses again for another international break, Jornada 10 providing some nail-biting matches as most came down to fine margins. Nacional edged Marítimo in the Madeira derby, Aves shocked high-flying Rio Ave, while Porto maintained top spot with a late Tiquinho Soares goal proving the difference between themselves and fellow title challengers Braga.

Another keenly-contested encounter featured the subject of this edition of Figure of the Week, as Dutch striker Bas Dost was back to doing what he does best to help Sporting to a tight victory over Chaves.

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  Rodrigues Antonio — I am a fan of Chaves - but what a terrible call on the penalty. The play was not even close to Dost. If they call that they should call all holding a player on corner kicks a penalty....

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is nearing the top of the Serie A goalscoring charts after scoring his fifth goal – assisted by João Cancelo - in as many league games in Juventus’ 2-0 victory over AC Milan at San Siro on Sunday evening to underline his team's dominance in Italy.

Meanwhile, Nuno Espírito Santo was glowing in his praise of Wolverhampton Wanderers after their draw with Arsenal at the Emirates, but there was less to be positive about for José Mourinho, or indeed a raging Pedro Martins in Greece, while Bruno Alves, Hélder Barbosa, Flávio Paixão, Anthony Lopes and more are covered in this weekend's wide-ranging stories.

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  Nick J — Still no sign of Rony Lopes. I watched the first 70mins of Monaco PSG and Monaco had 4 chances in the first half to score but they fell to the players who wouldn’t be getting a game if they had their first XI fully fit, so no goals. If Lopes had been playing he would have cut through that lightwei......

With another potentially decisive week in store for the Primeira Liga universe, much of the attentions were turned towards the clash between table-toppers FC Porto and Sporting de Braga at the Estádio do Dragão, last Saturday.

The two contenders traded blows, but it was Tiquinho Soares in the 88th minute that would make all the difference, as a 1-0 win for the Dragons placed them three points clear at the top.

Also on edge was Rui Vitória in Benfica’s visit to Tondela, desperate for a win to ease the talk on his future at the club, and despite the hosts taking the lead after just one minute, three goals in response saw the Eagles bounce back with a much-needed 3-1 victory.

Lastly, in Tiago Fernandes’ final game in charge of Sporting as interim boss, the Lions were able to conclude a satisfactory week with a testing 2-1 win at home to Chaves, keeping the Lions just two points off the top in second place. PortuGOAL brings you the top weekend action.

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  Eduardo — Porto got lucky, Braga did more to win and those two chances that hit the post but thats football. I support Sporting but unlike most people I don't turn a blind eye, Sporting did deserve to win but got helped by the Ref. It was a harsh red card and a incredibly soft penalty to give to Sporting, I ......
  Nick J — That was a tough game – Braga are a strong and well-organised side. Good to see Porto step up! Great header by Soares. PORTO!...

Portugal under-20 international forward Xande Silva says he is being patient in waiting for his opportunity to shine at West Ham United, following his summer move from Vitória de Guimarães.

Meanwhile, Vítor Pereira has spoken of his pride at winning the Chinese CSL with Shanghai SPIG, but the former Porto boss is already being linked with a move to the Middle East, while big matches await Portuguese managers José Mourinho, Pedro Martins and Marco Silva this weekend.

Unlike most presidential campaigns dotted around the Mediterranean footballing panorama, the hunt for the top job at Sporting included no new managerial promises to sweeten budding members of the club during Septmeber's emergency elections, with each remaining candidate sticking by José Peseiro and his winning start to the 2018/19 season. Large pockets of the Lions support had been less than convinced by the 2005 UEFA Cup finalist, however, meaning that it was only a matter of time before the new club president, Frederico Varandas, called for a conclusion on Peseiro’s tenure.

The aftermath of Sporting’s 2-1 loss to Estoril in the League Cup, resulting in Peseiro’s sacking, brought forward fresh calls for the Green & Whites to appoint a domestic manager, familiar with the demands of the Primeira Liga, that translated into the likes of Paulo Sousa and Miguel Cardoso finding their way onto the front pages. The newly-elected club president holds a different vision, however, turning instead to Dutch boss Marcel Keizer, formerly of the Emirati club Al-Jazira, to lead the way in a new era for the title-hungry club. But just who is the man Varandas has chosen to back?

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  Nick J — Sporting did well against Arsenal and are in touch in the Liga so the squad is there....
  andrew/ny — I hope this does not start a new trend of hiring international. Portugal have been producing amazing managers....

Round-up: Ronaldo rocket, but Mourinho has last laugh

Portugal’s three representatives in European competition were unbeaten this week, although only FC Porto truly impressed. The Dragons thumped Lokomotiv Moscow 4-1 at the Estádio do Dragão to all but book their place in the knockout stage of the competition.

Barring a set of freak results, Benfica will not be joining them though, after Ajax held Rui Vitória’s side to a 1-1 draw in Lisbon. Sporting also drew as they played out a tame 0-0 in London against Arsenal.

Elsewhere, José Mourinho’s Manchester United came from behind to secure an impressive 2-1 victory over Juventus, who had taken the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo’s outstanding opener, while there were also goals for Daniel Candeias and Ricardo Quaresma in the Europa League.

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  Nick J — Since Marcano was benched late last season Porto seem to have forgotten how to defend. Yes Eder Militao is boss but Maxi and Felipe gave the ball away in dangerous positions and made quite a few mistakes (again) last night. They gave up 3 easy chances in the first 2 minutes of the second half and Ma......
  Euan — So who is going to be the next Benfica manager? Good goal from Candeias the Rangers front 3 played really well but let down by terrible defending and the linesman. Side note and totally off topic but how is Fabio Cardoso doing at Santa Clara? I really liked the look of him at Rangers but don't thin......

European Champions José Fonte, Raphaël Guerreiro, João Mário and André Gomes have all been recalled to the Portugal squad for the Nations League double-header against Italy (away) and Poland (home).

None of the four players have featured in a series of promising Portugal performances since the World Cup but they have earned a recall thanks to good form shown in recent weeks for their club sides. As previously announced, captain Cristiano Ronaldo remains out of the Seleção picture until 2019.

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  Ivo — Definitely agree with those who think Neto and Fonte should not have been called up. I get that Lille are doing very well this season in Ligue 1, and are level on points with Pedro Mendes’ Montpellier, who find themselves in second place on goal difference, but I simply don’t see how Pedro Mende......
  Ash — Is Santos serious with Fonte? This is going backwards when we should be looking towards the future. Pedro Mendes should have been given an actual chance to show what he can do. Daniel Carriço is back to his best and should be another option. Joao Mário and André Gomes have played 2 games and th......
  SupremoGino — Some Portuguese player who starts for Juventus scored a class goal in the Champions League this week..maybe Santos should call him up....

More Articles ...

  1. Vítor Pereira seals historic Chinese title
  2. PortuGOAL Figure of the Week: Arsénio sets up Moreirense's stunning win
  3. Portuguese Abroad: João Mário steals the show; Pereira edges closer to glory; Fonseca victorious
  4. Porto and Braga distance themselves at the top as Benfica slump again
  5. Portuguese Abroad shorts: Caixinha wins Mexican Cup, Rony Lopes nears return; Vaz Tê brace; Gomes; Mourinho; Nuno

      

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