Portugal

Group D

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SQUAD

later needed an 85th minute strike from Nuno Gomes to secure a 2-1 win in Aveiro. The draw in Liechtenstein did not dent their confidence too much, however, as within four days they went and routed Russia 7-1 in Lisbon in what was undoubtedly the finest display of their Group 3 campaign.

Germany 2006 will be the fourth FIFA World Cup finals campaign in their history and Portuguese fans are still waiting for their side to match the exploits of Eusebio and company on their debut appearance in 1966, where they reached the semi-finals in England. The emergence in the early 90s of a golden generation of players led by Luis Figo and Rui Costa raised hopes and in 2000 Portugal were UEFA European Championship semi-finalists.

After a disappointing first-round exit at Korea/Japan 2002, Brazil’s FIFA World Cup-winning coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, took the reins and led the Seleção to the final of the 2004 European Championship on home soil. Although they lost out to Greece, they showed no after-effects in FIFA World Cup qualifying and Scolari’s experience with Brazil is bound to benefit his charges in Germany.

The talismanic Figo is back in the squad, returning 12 months after withdrawing from international football in July 2004, but arguably a greater threat to opponents these days comes from the quick feet of another winger, Cristiano Ronaldo. Midfielder Deco is another player with plenty of tricks while in attack Pauleta’s record speaks for itself. Portugal also have quality in a defence led by the excellent Ricardo Carvalho.
Founded 1914
Affiliated 1923
WC participations 3 (1966, 1986, 2002)
WC honours 3rd place (1966)
Continental Titles None
Facts

* Portugal qualified for their first FIFA World Cup finals in 1966 and caused something of a stir on their debut appearance. Trailing 3-0 to Korea DPR in the quarter-finals, the Portuguese recovered to win 5-3, thanks in large part to four goals from Eusebio.

* In their 1966 semi-final Portugal fell 2-1 to the eventual world champions England. In the play-off for third place they beat the USSR by the same score. Eusebio was the top goal scorer of the tournament with nine goals to his name.

* In 1986 the Portuguese packed their bags after the first round despite a win against England. The same fate awaited them in 2002. They were eliminated in the first round after an unexpected 1-0 loss to Korea Republic in their final group game.

Group D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal
Squad
1 RICARDO (GK)
2 PAULO FERREIRA
3 CANEIRA
4 RICARDO COSTA
5 FERNANDO MEIRA
6 COSTINHA
7 LUIS FIGO
8 PETIT
9 PAULETA
10 HUGO VIANA
11 SIMAO SABROSA
12 QUIM (GK)
13 MIGUEL
14 NUNO VALENTE
15 BOA MORTE
16 RICARDO CARVALHO
17 CRISTIANO RONALDO
18 MANICHE
19 TIAGO
20 DECO
21 NUNO GOMES
22 PAULO SANTOS (GK)
23 HELDER POSTIGA