• Portugal,
• Ukraine

Portugal 0-0 Ukraine

Cristiano Ronaldo made his return but Portugal were ineffective in the first game of the UEFA European Championship Qualifying stage.

The Seleção dominated the game but couldn’t find a way through the Ukrainian defence as the quest to defend the European Championship begins.

• Seleção
• Joao Felix

 Seleção coach Fernando Santos usually has a surprise of two when it comes to announcing the Portugal squad, and today was no different. Braga’s Brazilian born striker Dyego Sousa was given a debut call-up for the start of the Euro 2020 qualification campaign.

Benfica’s teenage star João Félix is another debutant, while Wolves forward Diogo Jota gets the nod and there are recalls for José Fonte and João Moutinho. 

• Portugal,
• Poland
• Nations League
• André Silva
• Danilo Pereira

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.

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.