Underdogs Again! Can Portugal Compete For The World Cup Next Year?

Underdogs Again! Can Portugal Compete For The World Cup Next Year?

Chandler Milligan

Portugal has done it again!

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates have defied the script to defeat European Champions Spain in a clinical penalty shootout to lift their second UEFA Nations League title.

Call us reactionary, but Portugal might finally have what it takes to challenge for the FIFA World Cup next year.

With a new generation of Portuguese ballers dominating across the biggest clubs in Europe, Cristiano Ronaldo may have one final chance to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and to fulfil his greatest dream before he hangs up his boots.

Portugal, as a team of constant underdogs, have thrice now lifted titles as the lesser favoured side.

In 2016, all eyes were on Antoine Griezmann’s France side, who were hosting the tournament in their own backyard.

They were clear favourites heading into the tournament, and boasted a star-studded lineup including Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet, Hugo Lloris, N’Golo Kante, Samuel Umtiti, Kingsley Coman, and more.

A convincing run to the final saw them dispatch Romania, Albania, Ireland, Iceland, and Germany en route to the Stade de France.

Portugal, in contrast, barely escaped their group.

Three draws saw them finish third in the group with zero wins, clinching a qualification spot for the Round of 16.

Ricardo Quaresma scored deep into extra time against Croatia to secure progression, before scoring the decisive penalty as Portugal fought from behind and took the game to penalties against Poland.

A composed victory over Wales, who had been the tournament’s dark horses alongside Iceland, saw Cristiano Ronaldo’s men into the final.

Without a major trophy to their name, Portugal weathered a brutal storm against the world’s best, who were vying for their first title since the 2003 Confederations Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo was forced off injured, and for France and the Player of the Tournament and Golden Boot winner, Antoine Griezmann, it seemed like a certainty that they would find the lead eventually.

But Portugal proved persistent, and Eder struck gold with a furious driven strike in the 109th minute to gift the nation their first major trophy.

Three years later, hosting the inaugural UEFA Nations League tournament, Portugal topped a group consisting of Italy and Poland, before defeating Switzerland in the semi-finals to progress to the final.

Goncalo Guedes scored the decisive goal in a dominant 1-0 victory against a promising young Netherlands side.

A second major title in three years for Portugal.

Fast forward to last week, and Portugal have reclaimed the title, with a remarkable victory as major underdogs.

Portugal topped their group before fighting from behind in a two-legged quarter-final tie against Denmark to advance to the semi-finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo then scored the winning goal against a strong Germany outfit to see his side fight from behind to win 2-1 against the hosts.

At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal in an international final to make it 2-2 against Spain.

His Portuguese team clawed their way back into the game twice against a Spanish side who completely dismantled Kylian Mbappe’s France several days earlier.

They took the game all the way to penalties, with Ruben Neves scoring the trophy-winning spot kick after Alvaro Morata saw his effort saved.

Three titles in nine years for Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the Golden Boot with eight goals.

Proof that despite the critics, he can still perform at the highest level when his team needs him.

And with the next edition of the World Cup arriving in the USA 12 months from now, we start to wonder if Portugal is capable of challenging on the biggest stage.

It’s no secret that they have talent, but since their fourth-place finish in the 2006 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates have failed to make an impact on the world stage.

The 2010 World Cup saw them eliminated in the Round of 16 by eventual winners Spain, before an underwhelming campaign in 2014 saw them exit in the Group Stages.

In 2018, Portugal finished runners-up in their group, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s hattrick against Spain dominating the headlines.

Despite the talent in their team, Portugal were eliminated in the Round of 16 against Uruguay.

And in 2022, as Lionel Messi turned his ‘final chance’ into a dream fulfilled in Qatar, Cristiano Ronaldo trudged in tears down the tunnel after a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the quarter finals.

For many, the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal was over, and his final chance had escaped him.

But this emerging Portugal team mean business.

Just like the new wave of Argentine blood who rallied behind Lionel Messi to lift two Copa Americas, a Finalissima, and the World Cup, Portugal’s new dawn of talent might finally be ready to put their mark on the World Cup.

With four young Portuguese stars winning the UEFA Champions League with PSG a few weeks ago, Portugal boasts one of (if not) the best young fullbacks in the world with Nuno Mendes, while Ruben Dias is in the prime of his career in the heart of defence.

In Vitinha, PSG and Portugal possess one of the most vibrant and creative midfielders in Europe, with Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva offering incredible quality and experience to complete their midfield three.

When Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t dominating the role of striker, his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, is deadly in front of goal.

A pool of talent, including Rafael Leao, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix, Francisco Conceicao, and Pedro Neto, provides a variety of dynamic wingers capable of changing the game, while Diogo Costa provides experience between the sticks.

Portugal isn’t short on squad depth either, with players like Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Tavares, Renato Veiga, Joao Neves, Ruben Neves, Joao Palhinha, and Francisco Trincao offering a plethora of reliable value across the park.

With a strong balance of youth and wisdom, speed and discipline, pride and spirit, this new Portuguese side under Roberto Martinez

Not only has this talented young crop of players proven that they can compete against the top teams in the world, but Cristiano Ronaldo, too, has proven that he can come up clutch in the big moments when his nation needs him.

The 2026 World Cup is set to take place between June 11 and July 19 across 16 cities in North America.

The three host countries are the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and the tournament will be the largest in history, with 48 teams competing instead of 32.

Portugal, who are currently ranked seventh in the world, still needs to actually qualify for the World Cup before they start dreaming of the golden trophy.

However, with a group consisting of Armenia, Hungary, and Ireland, they should back themselves to finish top of the table in the first round of Group F.

It won’t be an easy road.

It hasn’t been before for Portugal, nor has it for any past winners.

But it is possible.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina fought with their backs against the wall before delivering arguably the greatest football game in history with their dramatic penalty shootout glory over France.

While there are more teams in contention next year, Roberto Martinez’s men have another year to prepare for the tournament, and with their recent UEFA Nations League trophy shining brightly, they should back themselves to go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the world.

One final chance for Cristiano Ronaldo, and the birth of a new era in Portuguese football.