Analysis, feature pieces

World Cup 2022: Portugal’s Fernando Santos is ninth manager to part ways post-tournament

Head coach Fernando Santos of Portugal gestures during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama...

After Morocco stunned them in the World Cup quarter-finals, the Portuguese federation (FPF) yesterday announced their decision to part ways with head coach Fernando Santos, whose deal ran until 2024. The 68-year-old, who guided them to their first-ever senior international title back at Euro 2016, also led A Seleção to the UEFA Nations League title three years later. Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Portugal’s Fernando Santos is ninth manager to part ways post-tournament”

Match coverage

Portugal 6-1 Switzerland: Ramos’ hat-trick justifies Santos’ selection in statement thrashing

Goncalo Ramos of Portugal celebrate the 5-1 during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 round of 16 match between Portugal and Switzerland at Lusail Stadium...

The pre-match noise surrounded Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s benching by Fernando Santos. Within 20 minutes, the man who replaced him – Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos – scored a thunderous opener and later completed the tournament’s first hat-trick as they thrashed Switzerland without their historical talisman. Up next? Spain’s slayers Morocco on Saturday.
Continue reading “Portugal 6-1 Switzerland: Ramos’ hat-trick justifies Santos’ selection in statement thrashing”

Archives

UCL MD2 Group Stage Previews: Lokomotiv vs Bayern, Atletico Madrid vs RB Salzburg

Salzburg let Lokomotiv off the hook in 2-2 draw

A look ahead to a pair of MD2 group stage fixtures as the Champions League continues today. Lokomotiv Moscow host defending champions Bayern, while Atletico Madrid hope to bounce back from their humbling 4-0 defeat last week when hosting Red Bull Salzburg in Group A. Continue reading “UCL MD2 Group Stage Previews: Lokomotiv vs Bayern, Atletico Madrid vs RB Salzburg”

Archives

Saturday Previews: Fulham-Palace, Genoa-Inter and Atletico-Betis across Europe

Chelsea Here Chelsea There: Loftus-Cheek debut for Fulham | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club

Read on for match previews from Europe’s top leagues taking place across Saturday, as Fulham host fellow London rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League, while Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan and Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side return to domestic action with tricky tests of their own after contrasting Champions League results on MD1 in midweek. Continue reading “Saturday Previews: Fulham-Palace, Genoa-Inter and Atletico-Betis across Europe”

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Bayern Munich 4-0 Atletico Madrid: Player Ratings as Bavarians begin UCL defence in style

Lewandowski, Hernandez and Tolisso celebrate with Coman during his brilliant showing against Atletico

Bayern Munich began the defence of their Champions League title emphatically, cruising to a comfortable 4-0 win over last season’s quarter-finalists Atletico Madrid at the Allianz Arena. Kingsley Coman netted a well-taken brace, while there were also goals for Leon Goretzka and a Corentin Tolisso second-half screamer – but which players excelled here while others faltered? Continue reading “Bayern Munich 4-0 Atletico Madrid: Player Ratings as Bavarians begin UCL defence in style”

Archives

Nations League – Portugal 4-1 Croatia: Player Ratings as Santos’ side cruise to victory

Wolves' Diogo Jota netted his first Portugal goal before Felix made it three with 20 minutes to play

Goals from Joao Cancelo, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Andre Silva in stoppage-time sealed an impressive 4-1 victory for Nations League winners Portugal – but they could have easily put Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia to the sword by half-time. Which individual players impressed while others struggled in Porto? Continue reading “Nations League – Portugal 4-1 Croatia: Player Ratings as Santos’ side cruise to victory”

Archives

Portugal 3-1 Switzerland: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis

Portugal players wheel away to celebrate with talisman Ronaldo after his hat-trick in their semi-final win

Here’s a look at five talking points, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s 53rd career hat-trick powered Portugal into Sunday’s Nations League Final after a frantic finish against Switzerland in Porto last night. Continue reading “Portugal 3-1 Switzerland: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis”