The Portuguese soccer team faces Switzerland this Tuesday in the last round of 16 match of the 2022 World Cup, seeking to secure a place in the ‘quarters’ for the third time in history and 16 years after the last classification.
In both 1966 and 2006, the ‘quinas’ team reached the quarterfinals, and on the first occasion the contest had not yet contemplated reaching the round of 16. In both cases, Portugal would eventually reach the semi-finals, placing third in England and fourth in Germany.
After having conquered Group H, with six points, ahead of South Korea, led by Paulo Bento, who also advanced, the team led by Fernando Santos will face a Switzerland that was in second place in Group G, just like the leader Brazil. but at a disadvantage due to goal difference.
In addition, this will be the third meeting between the two teams this year, after the two played in the League of Nations, both in the space of a week, in June, with Portugal winning 4-0 in Alvalade and, a week back , to be defeated 1-0 in Geneva.
For the duel with the Swiss, Fernando Santos will have to do several laps to the ‘eleven’ compared to the one presented with South Korea, specifically Rúben Dias, Raphaël Guerreiro, William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and João Félix, who will join Diogo. Costa, João Cancelo, Pepe, Rúben Neves and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Even so, the biggest doubt has to do with Ronaldo, after the discontent he expressed when he was substituted against the South Koreans. The coach confessed, this Monday, that he did not like “really at all” the attitude of the striker, but he did not reveal if the captain will start, that he will be the most expected.
Portugal and Switzerland meet in the last of eight round of 16 matches, starting at 10:00 p.m. local time (7:00 p.m. in Lisbon), at the Estádio de Lusail.
Earlier, starting at 6:00 p.m. local time, Morocco and Spain also compete for a place in the ‘quarters’, in Al-Rayyan, and the winner will face the Portuguese or the Swiss in the next round.
The quarterfinal draw, which is completed today, already has the following duels defined: England-France, Holland-Argentina and Croatia-Brazil.
The 2022 World Cup runs until December 18 in Qatar.
Source: TSF
