Portuguese Football in English
João Félix made a spectacular start to the new La Liga season on Monday night, providing a trio of assists as Atletico Madrid started with a 3-0 win at Getafe.
The main beneficiary of Félix’s service was Alvaro Morata, who struck twice to see Atletico 2-0 up before the hour, including a splendid second which came from Félix’s perfect reverse throughball. Felix then received the ball on the half-turn and fed Antione Griezmann, who finished well from outside the box.
With all of Europe’s major leagues now underway, it has taken little time for Portuguese footballers to resume their incredible output in front of goal in various countries across the continent.
Renato Sanches marked his Paris Saint-Germain debut with a goal, while Gonçalo Paciência also found the net on his first La Liga appearance at Celta Vigo. There was another goal for Nuno Tavares, who is making a stunning impact with Marseille, as Fabio Silva and Jota continue to impress in Belgium and Scotland and Dany Mota scored in Italy’s Serie A.
Gonçalo Guedes became the latest Portuguese star to join Wolverhampton Wanderers this week, joining on a five-year contract from Spanish side Valencia.
According to reports close to the deal, Wolves will pay Los Ches around €32m plus add-ons for Guedes, who enjoyed arguably the best season of his career last term at the Mestalla.
He remains one of the world’s most prolific goal scorers at the top level of football, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s career is gradually winding down to an end.
The Portuguese hitman has no problems slamming the ball into the back of the net, but his energy levels are not what they used to be and it’s hard to imagine him playing for much longer than his stated aim of until he reaches 40 – he turns 38 next February. Even the age he has set to continue playing could change though. More of that later.
Lille 4-1 Auxerre
Portuguese boss Paulo Fonseca admits he could not have asked for a better debut as coach in Ligue 1, after watching his Lille side hammer newly-promoted Auxerre at the weekend.
Lille, who finished 10th last season, hosted Auxerre at the Venue Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Sunday with Tiago Djaló and José Fonte named in Fonseca’s first line-up. Les Dogues produced a rampant first half and led within a minute before going in 3-0 up at the break, then adding a fourth midway through the second half, giving the former Porto boss a dream opening day victory.
