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In Focus: Nations League hosts Portugal

In Focus: Nations League hosts Portugal
© Reuters
Fernando Santos has options in his quest for silverware.

Portugal will attempt to win the Nations League when they host the inaugural finals this summer.

Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at Fernando Santos' side ahead of their June 5 semi-final clash against surprise package Switzerland.

History

EURO Luis Felipe Scolari Press Conference
Luiz Felipe Scolari led Portugal to the European Championship finals in 2004 – and later went on to manage Chelsea (PA Archive)

Portugal won their first ever major trophy just three years ago. Despite star turn Cristiano Ronaldo being forced off early on against hosts France in the Euro 2016 final, Santos' men dug deep to make history thanks to Eder's extra-time strike. Their previous best at the European Championship had been the crushing final loss to Greece when tournament host in 2004. They have twice reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, finishing third in 1966 and fourth in 2006. The Portuguese exited in the round of 16 last summer thanks to a 2-1 loss to Uruguay.

Reaching the Nations League finals

Leicester City v FC Porto – UEFA Champions League – Group G – King Power Stadium
Andre Silva made the difference against Italy (Mike Egerton/PA)

Santos' side sealed their place at the inaugural finals by winning Group A3. Andre Silva's goal was enough to see off Italy 1-0 in their opening match, before going on to return from Poland with a 3-2 win. A goalless match in Italy followed, before drawing 1-1 against Poland in Guimaraes to condemn their opponents to relegation. All three members of Group A3 had expressed an interest in hosting the finals and topping the pool meant Portugal got that honour – and the chance to right the wrongs of Euro 2004.

Players

Manchester City v Brighton and Hove Albion – FA Cup – Semi Final – Wembley Stadium
Bernardo Silva can make the right impression with Portugal (Nick Potts/PA)

Ronaldo did not appear in Portugal's Nations League group campaign but is likely to captain the European champions after being named in their 23-man squad for the tournament. Four Wolves players have been included in the group, with uncapped forward Diogo Jota joining Rui Patricio, Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves. Manchester City's Bernardo Silva will be looking to continue his excellent form, while Joao Felix, Joao Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes will get the chance to show their talent to a wider audience.

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Eric Dier in action during the Nations League group game between England and Croatia on November 18, 2018
Read Next:
England’s Eric Dier ready to return ‘home’ for Nations League Finals in Portugal
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38322495237298
2Liverpool38307189226797
3Chelsea38219863392472
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs382321367392871
5Arsenal382171073512270
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd381991065541166
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38169134746157
8Everton38159145446854
9Leicester CityLeicester38157165148352
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham38157165255-352
11Watford38148165259-750
12Crystal Palace38147175153-249
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle38129174248-645
14Bournemouth38136195670-1445
15Burnley38117204568-2340
16Southampton38912174565-2039
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3899203560-2536
RCardiff CityCardiff38104243469-3534
RFulham3875263481-4726
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3837282276-5416

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