Benfica teammate Otamendi also in Qatar

Continuing our series of articles on footballers playing in Portugal’s Primeira Liga who could become household names at Qatar 2022, PortuGOAL turns the spotlight on Enzo Fernández and Nicolás Otamendi.

The Argentinian midfielder touched down in Lisbon just a few months ago, but has wasted no time in showcasing his seriously impressive skillset. Tomorrow he could line up for his country alongside Benfica teammate Otamendi as one of the World Cup favourites play their Group C opener against Saudi Arabia. 

In the first of a series of articles focusing on footballers playing in Portugal’s Primeira Liga who could make a name for themselves in front of a global audience in Qatar, PortuGOAL profiles Iran striker Mehdi Taremi.

The centre-forward has been outstanding ever since landing in Portugal, first at Rio Ave, then for FC Porto, proving an authentic scourge for opposition defences up and down the country, and also all over the continent in the Champions League.

Tomorrow Taremi makes his bow at Qatar 2022 as Carlos Queiroz’s Iran play a high-profile encounter against England. 

Liga Bwin 2022/23 takes a break for the winter World Cup with thirteen matches completed apiece for those at Portugal’s top table. Benfica head the division, signing off by defeating Gil Vicente this weekend. The latter have endured a miserable campaign thus far, as too have Paços Ferreira after yet another loss, this time to Vizela.

Santa Clara and Rio Ave secured wins to move away from the wrong end of the table, whilst Sporting and Braga both triumphed to give the league’s top four a familiar feel in terms of membership if perhaps not order.

Above the aforementioned latter pair is Porto as they strolled to derby success over Boavista, in no shortage due to the fine form of PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Galeno, who struck twice in the latest of a series of impressive displays this season

• Boavista
• Primeira Liga,
• Sporting,
• FC Porto,
• Galeno
• Francisco Trincao
• FC Famalicao

Sporting have joined FC Porto and Benfica in victory after defeating Famalicão 2-1 away from home, this Sunday, in their last game before the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The Lions offered their rivals a riposte with goals from Francisco Trincão and Pedro Gonçalves on a wet and rainy night in Famalicão, taking them up to fourth place, above Casa Pia, in the Primeira Liga table.

Rúben Amorim’s men followed Porto in succeeding on the road after they had originally set the blueprint with a 4-1 dismantling of Boavista in the Invicta Derby, as the likes of Galeno and Stephen Eustáquio starred. Here’s the peak of the action: