Reigning European champions Portugal did well to even get out of their group given that they were drawn along with the two most recent World Cup winners France and Germany.
But their third place means they have been given the undeniable task of facing the top spot in Belgium in the 16s.
Fernando Santos men must be in top form if they are to advance to the quarterfinals and continue their bid to keep their crown, and here is how 90min thinks Portugal will line up for the match …
Ruben Dias Starts / Carlos Rodrigues / Getty Images
Rui Patricio (GK) – Produced one of the saves in the tournament last time against France when he denied Paul Pogba and then Antoine Griezmann, and will probably need to be just as sharp to keep Belgium away.
Nelson Semedo (RB) – The Wolves full-back’s defensive nous has sometimes been questioned but he looked very good against Kylian Mbappe in Portugal’s most recent excursion.
Ruben Dias (CB) – Has looked a little less solid than we have become accustomed to since he moved to Manchester City, but is still his team’s most important defender.
Pepe (CB) – Even at a high age of 107, he still smashes decent screens and so far at Euro 2020 he looked quite reliable.
Raphael Guerreiro (LB) – Has been preferred to starlet Nuno Mendes on the left side of the defense this tournament and will likely get the nod again with the kid struggling with a muscle injury.
Bruno Fernandes can be called back to the page / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Danilo Pereira (CM) – Should be good to take his place in start XI even though he is at the receiving end of a blow from Hugo Lloris against France that even Deontay Wilder would have been proud of.
Renato Sanches (CM) – Has resumed his career since moving to Lille and could earn another big money this summer after some brilliant performances at Euro 2020.
Bruno Fernandes (CM) – Lost to Joao Moutinho against France, but Wolves’ midfield was relatively inefficient and Fernandes is likely to return to midfield.
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to lower his 110th Portugal goal on Sunday / Laszlo Balogh – Pool / Getty Images
Bernardo Silva (RW) – Gave the French left-back the review last time (yes it’s plural, there were three of them in 90 minutes) and his work frequency is crucial for his team.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) – Corresponded to Ali Daei’s international goal scorer record against France and if he can secure his 110th goal for Portugal on Sunday, he will hold the record straight.
Diogo Jota (LW) – Has not been at his brilliant best so far this tournament and Portugal will surely need him to be on Sunday.
