Portuguese Football in English
Seleção coach Roberto Martínez has announced the 27-man squad he will be taking to Germany for the Nations League final four at the start of June.
Porto’s teenage sensation Rodrigo Mora has made the cut, although two other young players who have impressed this season, Sporting’s Geovany Quenda and Benfica’s Tomás Araújo miss out. Sporting midfielder Pedro Gonçalves has also been included.
Portugal got off to a winning start at the 2025 UEFA European U17 Championship after beating Albania 4-0 in Tirana.
The Equipa das Quinas were the superior side at Kombëtare Arena, taking the lead in the 36th minute when Mateus Mide’s cross was headed home by Rafael Quintas.
The impressive João Aragão was brought down in the 60th minute and Mide make no mistake from the penalty spot. Portugal made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute, Tomás Soares finding Anísio Cabral who converted from close range.
Fabjano Nuhaj looked certain to score late on but was denied by a goal line clearance from Ricardo Neto, Soares scoring in added time to wrap up a comfortable victory for Bino Maçães’ side.
Portugal beat hosts Croatia 3-2 on Sunday afternoon to win the Vlatko Markovic under-15 football tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo Junior was decisive for the Seleção in the final, scoring two goals with Rafael Cabral netting the winner.
Portugal arrived in Albania late last night with three days to go before they begin their campaign at the 2025 UEFA European U17 Championship. The eight-team tournament will be contested from 19 May to 1 June.
The “Equipa das Quinas” are making their sixth consecutive appearance at the tournament where they have a proud history, winning four titles when it was an U16 event and two U17 titles in 2003 and 2016.
Portugal reached the semi-finals in 2022 and lost to Italy in the final last year. Despite the disappointing 3-0 defeat to a strong Italian side, a number of players proved their quality in Cyprus and continued to shine this season, namely João Simões, Geovany Quenda and Rodrigo Mora.
Bino Maçães’ side will compete in Group A alongside Germany, France and hosts Albania. Their campaign begins against the Albanians, the match taking place in Tirana on 19 May.
PortuGOAL’s Matthew Marshall previews the tournament.
One bright shaft of light has punctuated the darkness of a desperately disappointing season for FC Porto. It goes by the name of Rodrigo Mora, the attacking midfielder scoring another wonder goal last night as the Dragons beat city rivals Boavista to all but secure a third-place finish.
Mora turned 18 just one week ago but increasingly loud calls are being made for his inclusion in the full Portugal squad for the upcoming Nations League final four matches at the start of June.
