Portugal, already qualified, hopes this Thursday against fragile Liechtenstein in Vaduz for another triumph in qualifying for Euro 2024 and to move closer to the historic conclusion of Group J with only victories, something unprecedented.
The national team, which also finished first, arrives in this Alpine country, the sixth largest in the world, with eight victories and a staggering record of 32 goals scored and only two conceded.
Facing a team bottom of the group with zero points and just one goal scored (25 conceded), Portugal have everything they need to claim a ninth win in nine games and be in position for a perfect farewell on Sunday against Iceland at the Jose Stadium. Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon.
However, such a “thought” also happened in 2004, in the last official game of the Portuguese national team in Vaduz, on the eve of the 2006 World Cup, but that duel ended in an unimaginable 2:2 draw.
At this point, nothing suggests that this scenario, one of the darkest in the history of the national team, will happen again, in a match in which it is already certain that goalkeeper José Sa will win his first cap after the national team cap. several years in the “shadow” of Rui Patricio and, more recently, Diogo Costa.
Toti Gomes could also make his debut, as could Joao Mario, the Porto defender called up to replace Diogo Dalot, who was sacked due to personal problems.
The Manchester United defender is one of five killed in Roberto Martinez’s original 26-man squad, along with Nelson Semedo, Pepe, Matheus Nunez and Rafael Lean, all due to physical problems.
Bruma, called up for the first time in the Martinez era, could get some minutes, as can Joao Neves, who is having a great time at Benfica after making his full debut in October in Bosnia.
The match between Liechtenstein and Portugal will take place at 20:45 (19:45 in Lisbon) at the Rheinstadion. His judge will be Swede Mohammed Al-Hakim.
Portugal leads Group J with 24 points, eight more than second-placed Slovakia, with Luxembourg third with 11. Iceland is fourth with 10 points, ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina with nine and Liechtenstein last with no points. .