(Reuters) – The following is a factbox on Portugal, who are in Group F at this year’s European Championship, which kicks off on June 11.
PORTUGAL
FIFA ranking: 5
Coach: Fernando Santos
Santos coached Portugal’s big three clubs – Porto, Benfica, and Sporting – and the Greece national team, before taking charge of Portugal in 2014.
He guided them to victory at Euro 2016 as well as the inaugural Nations League title in 2019.
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
At 36, Ronaldo remains a lethal goalscorer, scoring his 100th goal for Juventus in just his third season in Italy.
He is the joint-top scorer in the European Championship with nine goals in four finals appearances.
Top player: Bruno Fernandes
Voted Manchester United’s best player for a second straight season, Fernandes has the ability to slice a defence wide open and possesses a powerful, accurate shot from distance.
His ability from the penalty spot is one that could serve Portugal well at international tournaments.
Tournament history
Portugal have participated in seven European Championships and reached the final as hosts in 2004, losing 1-0 to underdogs Greece in Porto.
They were knocked out at the quarter-final and semi-final stage in the two subsequent editions but ended their long wait for a major title after defeating hosts France 1-0 in the 2016 final.
Recent form
2021 Luxembourg 1-3 Portugal World Cup qualifying
2021 Serbia 2-2 Portugal World Cup qualifying
2021 Portugal 1-0 Azerbaijan World Cup qualifying
2020 Croatia 2-3 Portugal UEFA Nations League
2020 Portugal 0-1 France UEFA Nations League
Tournament fixtures
June 15: v Hungary, Budapest
June 19: v Germany, Munich
June 23: v France, Budapest
William Hill odds to win: 8-1
(Compiled by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by Toby Davis)
