Portuguese Football in English
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.
Portugal’s U21 team made the play-offs for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with a 4-2 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Estádio dos Barreiros in Madeira tonight. The win followed a commanding 9-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein to leave Rui Jorge’s side on 22 points in Group 8.
Romania topped the group but Portugal were good enough to be one of the four best runners-up. They will meet Greece, Poland or Austria in the play-offs which will be held in November.
Scotland 1-3 Portugal
A debut goal for Hélder Costa and a couple of second-half efforts from Eder and Bruma charged Portugal on to a 3-1 victory over Scotland at Hampden Park, this evening, as the Seleção wrapped up a satisfactory international double-header.
In a tight first-half affair, Costa took his chance on the brink of half time to give the European champions a 1-0 lead going into the break. As the Scots prepared a fight-back in the second period, Portugal dealt with the threat that never really came, adding greater comfort to the score-line later in the half with a couple more efforts prior to Steven Naismith's consolation goal.
Poland 2-3 Portugal
Portugal put on an impressive display in an action-packed game in Chorzów. The Poles took the lead early on through a Krzysztof Piatek header. However, goals from André Silva, a Kamil Glik own goal, and a brilliant Bernardo Silva effort put the Seleção ahead.
There was controversy after Rui Patrício was beaten by Jakub Błaszczykowski's superb shot but that goal ultimately didn't deny Portugal the victory in a polished performance in Poland.
Fernando Santos has announced the Portugal squad for next week’s away matches against Poland and Scotland.
As for the September games, captain Cristiano Ronaldo has not been selected, while Santos has given a debut call-up to Wolves winger Hélder Costa.
Euro 2016 hero Eder Lopes is recalled, Porto’s defensive midfielder Danilo Pereira is back after returning from long-term injury, and Real Sociedad left-back Kevin Rodrigues also makes the cut after a lengthy absence.
