Portugal booked their ticket to Russia thanks in no small measure to Ronaldo and his 15 goals.
FIFA World Cup 2018 » Portugal head to Russia as European champions after their unlikely Euro 2016 triumph in France. There is little doubt that captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is eager for his team to follow in the footsteps of neighbours Spain by winning two consecutive major tournaments.
However, fulfilling a lifetime’s ambition by winning the World Cup may prove a step too far for the five-time World Player of the Year and his teammates, reports Xinhua news agency.
Road to Russia
Topping their World Cup qualifying group on goal difference ahead of Switzerland, Portugal booked their ticket to Russia thanks in no small measure to Ronaldo and his 15 goals.
The European champions bounced back from an opening round defeat to Switzerland by winning their remaining nine fixtures. Ronaldo apart, however, Portugal’s squad looks a little short on quality in comparison to favourites Brazil, Germany and Spain.
What to Expect
2018 marks Portugal’s seventh appearance at the World Cup and their fifth in a row. Their best performance came on their debut in 1966, when they finished third after losing to hosts England in the semi-finals. They also reached the semis in 2006, losing to France. Meanwhile, they went out in the group stage in both 2002 and 2014, and lost to Spain in the round of 16 in 2010.
But after the euphoria of winning Euro 2016, even the most ardent aficionado of A Selecao das Quinas would admit that their victory was largely unexpected and was achieved in a pragmatic, attritional style uncomfortably similar to that of Greece at Euro 2004.
Portugal: World Cup victory a difficult mission for Ronaldo (Team Profile)
Portugal’s success in recent years has been in large part due to coach Fernando Santos, who oversaw a significant turnaround in form after replacing Paulo Bento following an embarrassing home defeat against Albania in a Euro 2016 qualifier. Santos subsequently led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title and has lost only once in 29 competitive internationals.
Portugal’s success in recent years has been in large part due to coach Fernando Santos, who oversaw a significant turnaround in form after replacing Paulo Bento following an embarrassing home defeat against Albania in a Euro 2016 qualifier. Santos subsequently led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title and has lost only once in 29 competitive internationals.
The 63-year-old is a former defender who played for Estoril and Maritimo. He has coached all Portugal’s “big three” clubs — Benfica, Porto and Sporting — and led Greece at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.
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