June 11, 2016

The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal.
Rival: England national football team
Manager: Fernando Santos
Confederation: UEFA (Europe)
Association: Portuguese Football Federation
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Arenas/Stadiums: Estádio Nacional, Estádio José Alvalade

Portugal ended a lengthy semi-final jinx for UEFA European Championship host nations when they made it through to the Lisbon showpiece in 2004, but defeat by Greece meant they became the only team in the competition’s history to lose a final on home turf. Since then, with Cristiano Ronaldo an increasingly potent attacking force, Portugal have reached two semi-finals – at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2012, losing in the latter to Spain on penalties. They have a perfect qualification record for major tournaments since the turn of the millennium, which was extended by a group-topping performance en route to UEFA EURO 2016.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos’ 23-man squad for the European Championships:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício (Sporting CP), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dínamo Zagreb)
Defenders: Vieirinha (Wolfsburg), Cédric (Southampton), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), José Fonte (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient)
Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting CP), Danilo Pereira (Porto), João Moutinho (Monaco), Renato Sanches (Benfica), Adrien Silva (Sporting CP), André Gomes (Valencia), João Mário (Sporting CP)
Forwards: Rafa Silva (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Beşiktaş), Nani (Fenerbahçe), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (Lille)

Best result: runners-up 2004
Coach: Fernando Santos
Leading scorers: all-time – Cristiano Ronaldo (55); current – Cristiano Ronaldo (55)
Most appearances: all-time – Luís Figo (127); current – Cristiano Ronaldo (123)
Association formed: 1914
Nickname: Selecção das Quinas (Team of Shields)
Where they play: Various

Portugal national football team jersey

Portugal made their UEFA European Championship finals debut in 1984, and came within six minutes of the Paris showpiece, leading hosts France deep into extra time until Jean-François Domergue and Michel Platini struck to turn the tie. They next qualified for the tournament in 1996 and are one of seven nations to have taken part in the last five EUROs, along with Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

Portugal have never failed to advance beyond the group stage, losing semi-finals to eventual winners France in 1984 and 2000, and Spain in 2012. They went one better on home soil at UEFA EURO 2004 before going down 1-0 to Greece, complete outsiders at the start of the tournament, in the Lisbon final.