In recent World Cups, the teams who have been seen as the favourites pre-tournament have not really changed much since 2010.

Brazil are always there. They are much like Real Madrid and the Champions League, there is always a belief that the canary shirted side will be there or thereabouts – the team and the competition just seem to be made for each other. If there is a World Cup on the horizon, Brazil just seem to raise their level.

Of course, in the last World Cup, they were walloped in the semi-final by eventual winners Germany. Nevertheless, a run to the last four was far better than the team who recently dominated international football, Spain, who suffered a meek group stage exit, but under former FC Porto coach Julen Lopetegui the Spaniards appear to have bounced back to prominence.

Portugal 0-3 Netherlands

Following what was considered by most to be a lacklustre match against Egypt, the Seleção finished the international break with a horrific performance against the Netherlands in Geneva, Switzerland.

Poor marking, slow build-up play, incoherent movement and a genuine lack of attacking threat paved the way for the Netherlands to hit Portugal three times in the opening 45 minutes. Despite a reasonable effort by Portugal's second half substitutions, João Cancelo's red card and the monumental task of being three goals behind was simply too much to overcome.

There is plenty to think about for Seleção coach Fernando Santos after Portugal’s penultimate friendly game before naming the World Cup squad ended in a dramatic victory against Egypt in Zurich tonight.

Portugal had the better of the first half with Raphael Guerreiro and Rúben Neves standing out, but the performance level dropped after the break and Egypt took the lead through an excellent Mo Salah goal shortly before the hour mark.

A disjointed Portugal looked to be headed for defeat, until that man Cristiano Ronaldo scored two headers in stoppage time – both from crosses by substitute Ricardo Quaresma – to turn defeat into victory.

Seleção coach Fernando Santos famously promised during the European Championship in France two years ago that he would only be returning to Portugal the day after the final had been played and would be received in celebration. Dito e Feito.

At yesterday’s press conference ahead of the Egypt and Netherlands friendly matches, Santos again showed ambition in setting out the goal ahead of the Russia World Cup, saying “Portugal does not have a dream, it has a clear objective, which is to fight for victory at the World Cup.”

As for the significance of the two upcoming games in terms of deciding the final 23-man squad, Santos insisted it was not ‘make or break’ for players hoping to book their place on the plane.