Portugal coach Fernando Santos has made wholesale changes in his first squad announcement since the disappointing World Cup campaign.

Tondela goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos, Montpellier defender Pedro Mendes, midfielders Gedson Fernandes (Benfica) and Sérgio Oliveira (FC Porto), and Monaco forward Rony Lopes are the new faces as the Seleção starts a new cycle. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo is left out of the squad while there are also noteworthy recalls for Rúben Neves, Renato Sanches, Bruma and Pizzi.

Portugal play a friendly against the beaten World Cup finalists Croatia in the Algarve on 6 September, followed by the Nations League opener against Italy in Lisbon on 10 September.

Two years after Portugal’s greatest football triumph at Euro 2016, the country added another European title, this time at U19 level, beating Italy 4-3 in the final in Seinäjoki, Finland on Sunday.

It was their first Euro title at U19 level since the format was changed in 2001. Portugal lost in the final in 2003, 2014 and just last year to England. Pedro Correia’s 109th minute goal came seconds after Italy had tied the match 3-3. Remarkably, it came at the exact moment of the match as Éder’s Euro 2016-winning goal in Paris.

PortuGoal looks back at two unforgettable weeks in Finland.

Was Portugal’s performance at World Cup 2018 underwhelming, in line with expectations, unlucky, or as the kids today like to say, just “meh”? The post-tournament reaction (or lack of it) would seem to indicate the last option.

There have been no recriminations flying around the media, no headlines demanding radical reform, not even a call for a period of introspection. Indeed, the silence has been deafening in terms of any formal reaction from the Portuguese Football Federation, coach Fernando Santos or the players regarding the campaign of the European Champions in Russia.

PortuGOAL assesses the Seleção’s showing at World Cup 2018 and looks for pointers for the future.

Portugal’s World Cup adventure came to a premature end last night after a narrow 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the last 16. The exit is an obvious disappointment for Seleção fans everywhere, but just as frustrating was the team’s failure to fulfil their potential to perform with what looked a strong group of players coming into the tournament.

One such player who did not live up to expectations in Russia was Bernardo Silva, failing to settle into Fernando Santos’ system throughout the group stage. However, the Manchester City winger was Portugal’s standout performer in Sochi, showing renewed confidence and positivity on the ball even if it was ultimately not enough to help his team through to the quarter-finals.