Finalists at Euro 2004 and semifinalists at Germany 2006, Portugal have displayed some dazzling football in recent years, but without ever landing a major prize.
Having never progressed beyond the semifinals of a Soccer World cup they will be aiming to go all the way this time around.
The road to South Africa
Recording only one win from their first five group matches, Portugal quickly went from being group favourites to standing on the cusp of elimination.
The second half of qualification brought a spectacular transformation, however, and they scored eight goals without reply in their last four group qualifiers to earn a play-off spot. Despite the absence of Ronaldo, they won both home and away against Bosnia-Herzogovnia to qualify.
Star players
Despite a poor showing in the qualifiers, Christiono Ronaldo will still be the main attraction in June. The aggression and aerial ability of Pepe and Bruno has proved effective at both ends of the pitch, while fellow defenders Jose Bosingwa and Ricardo Carvalho add a high work-rate and calm-footed consistency. Veteran midfield pair Simao and Deco are also expected to shine.
The coach
Having guided Portugal to consecutive World Youth Championship titles in the early 1990s, Carlos Queiroz is credited as the mastermind behind Portugal’s ‘Golden Generation’. He enjoyed great success as assistant to England’s Sir Alex Ferguson and is now in his second stint in charge of the national side. He will have some uneasy memories of South Africa, having been sacked as Bafana Bafana coach.
Facts
- Portugal set the bar incredibly high on their first World Cup appearance in 1966, walking away with a third-place finish, but this has remained their best performance to date on football’s biggest stage.
- After failing to progress past the first stage in 1986 and 2002, Germany 2006 marked a return to FIFA World Cup form for the Portuguese. Undefeated during the group phase, they went on to overcome Netherlands and England en route to the semi-finals, only to lose 1-0 to France and then go down to the hosts in the play-off for third place.
- South Africa 2010 will be Portugal’s fifth FIFA World Cup appearance. — Fifa