Portuguese Football in English
Everton’s Portuguese midfielder André Gomes received widespread plaudits for his performance in The Toffees’ 1-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday, and the showing from the Benfica man has only reignited speculation over his future.
Meanwhile, José Mourinho continues to keep his name in the headlines in various countries ahead of his next job, while transfer speculation surrounds Wolverhampton Wanderers’ young Portuguese players and Marco Matias steals the show in the English Championship.
Marco Silva is enjoying arguably his most positive period as Everton manager after securing a third consecutive win with another impressive performance to beat Arsenal 1-0 in the Premier League. There were contrasting emotions for fellow English-based boss Nuno Espírito Santo, however, after Wolverhampton Wanderers surrendered a 2-0 lead to suffer extra time defeat to Watford in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Elsewhere, Nani scored his first goals for Orlando City in a classic MLS win over Colorado Rapids, while José Fonte and former Braga starlet Hélder Barbosa were among the goals in Europe. Paulo Sousa recorded his first win as Bordeaux coach by beating Marseille in France, but there was a rare defeat for Vítor Pereira in China with champions Shanghai SIPG.
Portugal international Nani paid tribute to the supporters of Orlando City after scoring his first goals for his new club in their dramatic 4-3 victory over Colorado Rapids on Saturday evening.
Nani’s penalty with just minutes left on the clock sealed a remarkable comeback for Orlando in a classic match in Florida, during which they twice trailed either side of leading 2-1, before Nani - who had scored his team’s first goal with a header - stepped up to win the match from the spot as it looked set to end 3-3.
Jesualdo Ferreira became the fourth Portuguese manager to win a domestic title in three different countries, after his Al Sadd side were crowned 2018-19 Qatari Stars League champions on Thursday.
Ferreira’s team hammered Al Ahli 7-2 to extend their advantage over Rui Faria’s Al Duhail to seven points with just one game of the campaign remaining, meaning the 72-year-old joins Artur Jorge, José Mourinho and Vítor Pereira in becoming a national champion in three different countries.
Renato Sanches has reiterated his displeasure at the lack of playing time he has been afforded at Bayern Munich, after being reduced to a minimal role at the German champions.
The Portuguese midfielder watched from the sidelines as Bayern beat second-tier Heidenheim 5-4 in the German Cup on Wednesday, with the arduous task of warming the substitutes bench becoming an all too familiar experience for the former Benfica man.
