On the eve of the big kick-off of the world’s greatest sporting event, PortuGOAL writers give their tournament predictions. The answers to the questions below were given without conferring – we’re happy to make fools out of ourselves independently!

How far will Portugal go at World Cup 2018? Who will win the tournament? Which team will be the surprise package? Which player will be the MVP?

Read the thoughts of the PortuGOAL team below. Do you agree? Add your thoughts and predictions in the comments section below.

When Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patrício’s wife, Vera Ribeiro, stated publicly last week that masturbation might be a useful tool in helping World Cup squad members relax and focus, she was not – as far as we know – employing irony.

Ms Ribeiro is a sexologist and sexologists tend to put forward haphazard theories about these kinds of activities. In the case of her husband, concentration on the task ahead is beginning to prove increasingly tricky. Having finished the domestic season with a blooper in Funchal that helped Sporting finish just behind eternal rivals Benfica and thus outside the Champions League places allotted to Portugal, Patrício then took part in Sporting’s horrific cup final shambles against the previously unheralded Aves.

That game lost amongst the chaotic scenes of Sporting’s rapidly disintegrating season meant that the green and whites from Alvalade were about to run into one of the biggest crises in its long and illustrious history.

UK-based newspaper The Guardian has deservedly acquired a reputation for excellence in sports journalism.

It is also a leading exponent when it comes to producing online and interactive content. We highly recommend, for example, bookmarking this outstanding feature profiling all 736 players at World Cup 2018.

As part of its coverage of the tournament in Russia, the newspaper’s online site has given fans of the leading football nations, including Portugal’s, the chance to choose their all-time XI of their respective country.

Portugal 3-0 Algeria

The European Champions conjured up a stellar display in Lisbon this evening in their last pre-World Cup friendly before they depart for Russia on Saturday. A brace from Gonçalo Guedes and a first international goal for the majestic Bruno Fernandes saw Portugal easily overcome a deflated Algerian side.

Cristiano Ronaldo played in his first pre-World Cup friendly since winning his third consecutive Champions League title and produced a stellar display. Perhaps more importantly, Portugal's attacking prowess matched their defensive cohesiveness - something which has been lacking of late.