Category: Football

BARCELONA: Home side Barcelona absolutely crushed Real Betis 5-0 and handed them their second loss of the ongoing La Liga 2023-24 on Saturday at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Barcelona stepped into Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, their temporary home as Camp Nou undergoes renovation, with three consecutive victories in La Liga and showed no mercy against visitors from the first whistle.

Joao Felix, making his debut for Barcelona drew first blood with a close-range strike to the bottom left corner in the 25th minute.

The home team extended their lead seven minutes later as Lewandowski scored with the assist from Andreas Christensen.

Real Betis had a chance to score as Isco picked out Willian Jose who guided the ball towards goal, however, Barcelona’s goalkeeper Ter Stegen made a one-handed save to deny the goal to the visitors.

The first half ended with a two-goal lead for the home side, and they further extended it 12 minutes into the second half as Ferran Torres scored a brilliant freekick, curling it around the wall and past Rui Silva.

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Raphinha replaced Ferran Torres and got into the action from the get-go and earned the reward with his name on the scoresheet four minutes later.

Barcelona’s second debutant in the game Joao Cancelo, also joined the fun as he strode forward, and then struck into the bottom corner in the 81st minute to close the game for the home side 5-0.

In another La Liga fixture, home side Valencia registered their third win of the season after two consecutive losses as they thumped Atletico Madrid 3-0.

Hugo Duro scored two goals in the first half to keep Valencia cruising, while Javi Guerra scored the final decisive goal in the 54^th minute to seal the deal.

It was Valencia’s first win over Atletico Madrid since 2014 and steered them to the fifth place in La Liga points table with nine points.

Meanwhile, Mallora registered their first victory in the La Liga season 2023-24 at the expense of Celta Vigo at Estadio de Balaídos.

Athletic Club on the other hand earned their third win of the season as they defeated Cadiz 3-0, after a goalless first half, however, they attacked mercilessly in the second half and scored three goals in 24 minutes to seal the victory at San Mamés Stadium.

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MADRID: Rayo Vallecano recovered from back-to-back defeats in the ongoing La Liga 2023/24 to thump Alaves 2-0 at home on Friday.

The home side got off to a flying start when Isi Palazon converted a penalty just two minutes before half-time after winger Alvaro Garcia was fouled in the area.

Garcia once again played a pivotal role in his team’s goal as he provided a fine assist for Jorge de Frutos, who doubled Rayo Vallecano’s lead in the 82nd minute.

This victory will serve as a major morale booster for Francisco Rodríguez’s side, who replaced Andoni Iraola as the latter left to take over Bournemouth in the off-season.

Rayo Vallecano were on a two-match losing streak, having succumbed to a 0-1 loss against Real Betis and a 0-7 thrashing by Atletico Madrid on August 29.

Both Rayo Vallecano and Atletico Madrid took the field without a loss in their previous two La Liga games, however, the visitors gained an early advantage as Antoine Griezmann scored in the second minute into the game courtesy of Rodrigo De Paul’s assist.

Watch LA LIGA 2023/24 Live on ARY ZAP

Rodrigo De Paul also attempted to score a goal of his own, but his attempt was missed.

Rayo Vallecano made two vain attempts before Atletico Madrid’s Memphis Depay extended the lead to 2-0 at the 16-minute mark.

Rodrigo De Paul made another assist in the 36th minute as Nahuel Molina scored the third goal for Atletico Madrid.

The home side made two attempts before the first half but failed to get a goal over Atletico.

The game appeared to be over at 3-0 in the first half but the visitors did not slow down, and struck the fourth goal in the 73rd minute thanks to Álvaro Morata.

The fifth goal came a mere six minutes later as Ángel Correa netted from outside the box.

Ángel Correa assisted Álvaro Morata to score another goal in the 84th minute before Marcos Llorente hit the final nail in the coffin with the seventh goal only two minutes later to hand a humiliating defeat to Rayo Vallecano.

This was the biggest-ever away win in La Liga for Atletico Madrid.

READ: Teenager Lamine Yamal’s star rising as Barcelona host Real Betis

Young Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal broke records for Spain in the past week and can continue to add to his collection against Real Betis on Saturday.

The winger became Spain’s youngest-ever player, starter and goalscorer during the international break at 16 years old, and is establishing himself as important for club and country.

Lamine Yamal became Barcelona’s youngest debutant at 15 years and 290 days old against Betis in April last season.

This season he went on to become La Liga’s youngest starter in the 21st century, and also the youngest assist provider in the same time frame.

Lamine Yamal has not scored for Barcelona yet but if he does this season, he can overtake Ansu Fati’s club record — or the overall record for youngest La Liga scorer, set by Malaga’s Fabrice Olinga at 16 years and 98 days old.

The winger was man of the match in Barcelona’s 4-3 win at Villarreal in August and has started the club’s last three games, all victories.

Barcelona, third, trail rivals and league leaders Real Madrid by two points after four matches, because of their opening day draw at Getafe.

That was the match which prompted Xavi to turn to Yamal to offer some creative spark, as well as a red card for Raphinha opening up a position on the right flank.

Ousmane Dembele’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer was another factor in giving Yamal an opportunity at such a tender age.

“He’s a mature player despite being 16,” said Barca coach Xavi earlier in September.

“He’s conscious of what he’s going through and he’s happy, the management (of the situation) is very good and for now, there are no problems.”

Barcelona have been criticised in the past for throwing players into action at young ages and burning them out.

Midfielder Pedri Gonzalez played nearly 70 games for his club and Spain in his first season and has struggled with injuries since, while Ansu Fati, now on loan at Brighton, is another example.

“We have to think about it positively,” said Xavi.

“He’s in a process of maturation and growth — we hope that doesn’t happen.”

Barcelona are without Pedri and Ronald Araujo for the clash at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic, where they will reencounter a familiar face — Moroccan winger Ez Abde.

Lamine Yamal might also have chosen to play for the North African country but instead chose Spain.

Betis signed Abde on the final day of the summer transfer window and his direct running could pose the champions an immediate threat.

Real Madrid host Real Sociedad on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid visit Valencia on Saturday elsewhere in La Liga.

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Jude Bellingham stole the show with a goal and assist as England extended their 24-year unbeaten run against Scotland in a 3-1 friendly win to mark the 150th anniversary of the first meeting between the nations.

Phil Foden and Harry Kane were also on target as the Three Lions tamed the roar of Hampden Park and Scotland’s five-game winning streak on Tuesday.

The hosts had high hopes of a famous victory in football’s oldest international fixture after impressive wins over Spain and Erling Haaland’s Norway in recent months to close in on qualifying for Euro 2024.

But Scotland suffered a sobering evening as England proved a class apart.

Bellingham was the pick of Gareth Southgate’s stars as the Real Madrid midfielder revelled in the number 10 role he has shone in for the Spanish giants in the early weeks of the season.

“It’s just a freedom role really,” said Bellingham. “I know it depends on the system we play and we’ve got so many amazing players to accommodate.

“The team comes first always. I really enjoyed playing in that position today.”

Southgate hailed the 116th clash between the sides as the renewal of a “great sporting rivalry” on the eve of the game.

However, the ugly side of the animosity between the two sets of supporters was on show even before a ball was kicked.

After the English national anthem was drowned out by a chorus of booing, a minute’s silence for former Scotland manager Craig Brown was disrupted by the away fans.

Once the action got underway Scotland were second best, even if it took England over half an hour to make their dominance show in the scoreline.

“We knew playing against England was going to be difficult but if you want to learn as a team, you have to play against the best teams,” said Scotland boss Steve Clarke.

“We didn’t want to lose to our old enemy, but sometimes in football you have to take your medicine.”

Southgate questioned in his pre-match comments whether Foden has a future in central midfield.

But he ghosted in to a central position from his starting role out on the right to score just his fourth international goal to break the deadlock.

Fresh from scoring his first England goal against Ukraine, Kyle Walker was this time the creator as his driven cross was expertly turned home by his Manchester City teammate.

Just two minutes later, Scotland’s hope was extinguished by a self-inflicted blow.

Andy Robertson’s loose touch inside his own box presented Bellingham with an opportunity he was never going to miss in its current form.

The 20-year-old has taken the Spanish capital by storm since joining from Borussia Dortmund and now has six goals in as many games for club and country this season.

Scotland upped their intensity after the break and got their reward through another moment to forget for Harry Maguire.

The under-fire Manchester United centre-back turned Robertson’s cross into his own net 23 minutes from time.

John McGinn then headed a glorious chance over to equalise.

But England soon regained their grip on the game with Bellingham pulling the strings in midfield.

Angus Gunn produced a fine save to deny substitute Eberechi Eze his first international goal.

But the Norwich goalkeeper was powerless to stop Kane from slotting home his 59th after a slaloming run from Bellingham opened up the Scotland defence.

READ: Argentina triumph without Messi, Brazil edge Peru in World Cup qualifiers

World champions Argentina rested Lionel Messi but still shined in a 3-0 victory over 10-man Bolivia in La Paz on Tuesday to maintain their winning start to South America’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Brazil also have a maximum of six points from two games in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after a superb 90th-minute winner from Marquinhos against Peru in Lima for the only goal of the match.

But Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay suffered a setback, giving up the lead to end with a 2-1 defeat at Ecuador.

Messi, who has had a hectic schedule with his club Inter Miami, watched his teammates from the bench but was not listed as a substitute, having complained of tiredness after scoring the winner in Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador.

Despite the absence of their talisman Lionel Scaloni’s side had too much firepower for Bolivia with goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico and Nicolas Gonzalez securing an impressive victory.

Chelsea midfielder Fernandez went close with a wonderful effort from 30 yards out superbly saved by Guillermo Viscarra, who then did well again to keep out a near-post drive from Julian Alvarez.

The lively Alvarez had a hand in Argentina’s opener in the 31st minute, feeding Angel Di Maria, whose low cross was turned in by Fernandez, who had made a perfectly timed run into the box.

Eight minutes later Bolivia’s task got even tougher when Roberto Fernandez was sent off for an over-the-top challenge on Cristian Romero.

Argentina went in at the break with a 2-0 lead after Tagliafico met a floated Di Maria free-kick with a header that looped over Viscarra.

The three-time World Cup winners were in total control after the break with Alvarez hitting the post in the 70th minute and Viscarra kept busy by efforts from Rodrigo De Paul and Di Maria.

Gonzalez wrapped up the victory seven minutes from the end with a left-footed drive after more hesitant defending from the home side, who have lost both their opening games.

Scaloni was pleased with the performance of his team, saying they were “not afraid to play with the ball” and also offered an explanation for Messi’s absence.

“Leo was not ready to play, he tried to recover, but he did not feel comfortable,” he said.

Brazil came up against a determined Peru side in their second match of 2026 World Cup qualifiers and looked set to be frustrated when Raphinha’s rocket in the 72nd minute was brilliantly saved by Pedro Gallese.

But in the final minute, Neymar whipped in a corner and Marquinhos met it with a masterful glancing header that flashed into the far corner.

Colombia had to settle for a point in a disappointing goalless draw in Santiago, Chile.

Chile, with Alexis Sanchez back in the starting line-up, had the better of the game, playing some intelligent football in possession but like their opponents, they lacked a cutting edge.

After an impressive start to his reign in charge of Uruguay, Argentine Bielsa saw his team lose to two goals from Ecuador defender Felix Torres in Quito.

Uruguay took the lead in the 38th minute through Agustin Canobbio but the home side levelled just before the break when Torres rose to power home a header from a Moises Caicedo cross.

A penalty award gave Ecuador the opportunity to take the lead after the break but Enner Valencia’s woeful effort from the spot flew wide.

But Torres showed his value again to grab the winner, sliding into a crowded box to turn in a low cross from 16-year-old Kendry Paez.

Venezuela defeated Paraguay 1-0 at home thanks to Salomon Rondon’s injury-time penalty to raise hopes of making the World Cup for the first time in their history.

The hosts thought they had the lead in the 78th minute when Yangel Herrera fired home, but the referee’s review at the monitor concluded that the midfielder had handled the ball — to the fury of the home crowd.

But the technology worked in Venezuela’s favour in stoppage time when it spotted that Paraguay defender Ivan Piris had handled during an aerial challenge in the box and Rondon confidently tucked away the spot-kick.

The qualification process for the expanded 48-team World Cup 2026, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, offers two extra places for South America with six teams qualifying directly.

The seventh out of the 10 nations will head to an inter-continental play-off.

After the opening two rounds of South America’s World Cup qualifiers, Brazil lead Argentina on goal difference with Colombia third on four points, one ahead of Uruguay and Venezuela.

Paraguay, Peru and Chile have a point each.

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Bruno Fernandes ran the show for Portugal as they romped to a record 9-0 win over Luxembourg on Monday without suspended talisman and all-time top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Roberto Martinez’s side have now won all six of their qualifying games, without conceding a single goal and scoring 24 themselves, with this the country’s largest-ever victory.

Portugal lead the Group J standings, five points clear of Slovakia in second place, whom they beat in Bratislava on Friday. Luxembourg are third, three points behind Slovakia.

Manchester United playmaker Fernandes, who scored Portugal’s winner against Slovakia, laid on three goals as the Selecao filled their boots and scored one himself.

Goncalo Ramos, Diogo Jota and Goncalo Inacio struck two goals each, while Ricardo Horta and Joao Felix also scored.

Martinez, who replaced Fernando Santos after the Qatar World Cup, has a 100 percent record at the helm to date.

“We are still at the beginning of a new era with a new coach and we are still taking on board the coach’s ideas,” said Jota.

“Today we set a reference point match (to look at in) the future.”

Sporting Lisbon defender Inacio sent the hosts ahead in the 12th minute with a header from Fernandes’ exquisite cross with the outside of his foot.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Ramos drilled home the second five minutes later after Fernandes pressed high to win the ball back.

The 22-year-old striker then grabbed another goal in the 33rd minute with a clever turn and clinical finish for his sixth goal in eight appearances for his country.

Liverpool striker Jota hit the crossbar as Portugal dominated at the Algarve stadium near the country’s south coast.

Inacio headed home his second goal from another Fernandes cross on the stroke of half-time and Jota struck early in the second half for the fifth, set up by the Red Devils midfielder again.

Portugal thrashed Luxembourg 6-0 in their first clash in the Grand Duchy and Horta rifled home from the edge of the box for their sixth of the night to match the haul.

Jota, who set up Horta, walloped home the seventh as Portugal continued pushing on without remorse, and Fernandes capped his virtuoso display by netting the eighth.

That matched their previous best win, 8-0 on three occasions, but substitute Felix struck a superb ninth from the edge of the box to set Portugal’s new record.

“We have a great group of players, we take every game very seriously,” said Horta.

“We’re on the right track, but we have things to improve. Against Slovakia we played a game that was not at the level this team (can offer).”

Martinez’s side can qualify for Euro 2024 on October 13 if they beat Slovakia and Luxembourg fail to beat Iceland.

READ: Reece Topley looks to put injury history behind him ahead of World Cup 2023

Defending European champions Italy drew 1-1 with North Macedonia in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday to suffer a blow in their hopes of making it to next year’s finals from Group C where leaders England took a valuable point in a 1-1 away draw against Ukraine.

England lead the Group C of Euro 2024 qualifiers with 13 points with Ukraine on seven. Italy and North Macedonia both have four points.

Italy next face a crucial Euro 2024 qualifying test against Ukraine on Tuesday.

Luciano Spalletti took charge of Italy for the first time following Roberto Mancini’s shock resignation but his team flopped against the side which dumped them out of the last World Cup in the play-offs.

Ciro Immobile put Italy ahead but Enis Bardhi smashed in a free-kick for the hosts with nine minutes remaining in Skopje.

Ukraine hosted England in Poland and marched out onto the pitch in Wroclow with national flags draped over their shoulders in front of around 40,000 of their own fans.

“Very tough place to come. You could feel the atmosphere, a unique occasion,” said England manager Gareth Southgate after his team’s run of four consecutive wins in the group came to an end.

Oleksandr Zinchenko put Ukraine in front with a thundering shot after a sweeping drive through midfield on 26 minutes.

England, however, hit back in the 41st minute when Harry Kane played a ball over the top and Kyle Walker slipped the ball home for his first international goal on his 77th appearance.

Belgium went joint top of Group F with a 1-0 away win at Azerbaijan, lifting them level on 10 points with Austria.

Yannick Carrasco scored the only goal in Baku as new manager Domenico Tedesco extended his run to five games without defeat.

Sweden are third in the group on six points after they thumped Estonia 5-0.

Switzerland lead Group I of Euro 2024 qualifiers by two points after a see-saw 2-2 draw with Kosovo for whom La Liga based Vedat Muriqi scored twice.

In the same group, Romania and Israel drew 1-1 and are locked in a struggle for second place, separated by a point on nine and eight points respectively.

The top two teams in each group qualify for the Euro 2024.

As hosts, Germany are playing only friendly internationals but they are a team in crisis and their problems worsened in a 4-1 humiliation at the hands of Japan in Wolfsburg.

Junya Ito and Ayase Ueda scored either side of a Leroy Sane strike in the first half, with Japan scoring twice in the final five minutes as home fans jeered.

Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan said simply “we are not good enough right now, it’s a completely bitter day — we all need to ask questions of ourselves.”

READ: Pakistan, India set for rematch but rain threat persists despite reserve day

A trademark, curling free-kick from Lionel Messi got world champions Argentina off to a winning start in South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday with a 1-0 victory at home to Ecuador.

Colombia beat Venezuela 1-0 while 10-man Peru held on for a 0-0 draw at Paraguay as the long journey of South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup got underway.

Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in Qatar in December, has yet to confirm whether he will continue with his national side all the way to 2026, but he showed his importance yet again with the breakthrough in what had threatened to be a frustrating night for Lionel Scaloni’s team.

Lautaro Martinez won a free-kick in a central area in the 78th minute, just outside the Ecuador penalty area and Lionel Messi executed to perfection with his effort floating over the wall and dipping perfectly to beat the stationary Hernan Galindez.

With the goal, Messi drew level with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez of Uruguay as the all-time leading scorers in the South American qualifiers, both with 29 goals.

The Albiceleste had dominated possession against an Ecuador side which defended in numbers and limited their attacks to the occasional break on the counter.

The first opening of the game fell to Lionel Messi in the 16th minute when he was found on the edge of the box but put his side-foot effort wide of the post.

Just before the break, Lautaro Martinez went closer when he slid in to meet Rodrigo De Paul and his shot struck the post.

Lionel Messi worked himself an opening in the 69th minute but his low shot was weakly struck and was comfortably dealt with by Galindez.

But the 80,000 crowd in the Estadio Monumental were brought to their feet by Messi’s goal and from then on it was smooth sailing for Argentina.

De Paul, who was excellent throughout, dribbled across from the right setting up substitute Angel Di Maria but his effort was just wide.

Then De Paul brought a fine save out of Galindez near the end with a close-range blast at the near post.

“Ecuador showed they have very good players, that they are physically strong and that they are clear about what they do,” Messi said.

“We know that in every game we have to give one hundred percent to pull it off. But we showed…that this group will not relax beyond what they achieved, which is something historic and extraordinary,” he added.

“We have to be aware that we enjoyed everything a lot, but what we did is over. We have to look ahead,” said the seven-times Ballon d’Or winner.

A 46th-minute header from Rafael Santos Borre, from a pinpoint Jhon Arias cross, was enough to earn three points for Colombia in Barranquilla.

The victory ensured a winning start for the new Colombia coach, Argentine Nestor Lorenzo, who was taking charge of his first competitive game.

Colombia failed to qualify for last year’s World Cup in Qatar while Venezuela are hoping to earn their first-ever appearance in a World Cup finals.

Peru’s difficult task in Ciudad del Este became harder after they lost defender Luis Advíncula on the stroke of half-time when he was dismissed for a second yellow card.

But they held on for a point in what was a pulsating, high-tempo encounter.

The qualification process for the expanded 48-team World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, offers two extra places for South America with six teams qualifying directly.

The seventh out of the 10 nations will head to an inter-continental play-off.

On Friday, five-time World Cup winners Brazil face Bolivia while Uruguay host Chile.

READ: Neymar breaks Pele’s record as Brazil crush Bolivia 5-1 in World Cup qualifiers

Neymar surpassed Pele as Brazil’s all-time top scorer with two second-half goals in a 5-1 win over Bolivia in South America’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Friday.

The 31-year-old striker went into the game level with Pele on 77 goals and had a golden opportunity to break the record in the 17th minute when Brazil were awarded a penalty.

But he looked distraught after his soft spot-kick was easily saved by Bolivia keeper Guillermo Viscarra to keep the scores goalless.

Seven minutes later, Brazil got in front when Rodrygo reacted quickly to slot home after a shot from Raphinha was parried out by Viscarra.

Brazil doubled their lead just after the break when Raphinha cut in from the left and his low shot took a slight deflection as it flew into the bottom corner.

Neymar had a hand in Brazil’s third, with a clever chipped pass that was flicked on by Bruno Guimaraes into the path of Rodrygo who confidently drilled home.

Then came Neymar’s moment to enter the history books as he pounced on a loose ball inside the box and tucked away his 78th goal in his 125th game for his country – raising his hands and his gaze to the skies.

Victor Abrego pulled a goal back for Bolivia, bustling through a disorganized Brazil backline before blasting an unstoppable shot past Ederson.

But there was still time for Neymar to extend his record tally, connecting with a low ball from Raphinha in stoppage time to complete the victory and a memorable night for the forward.

The 31-year-old former Barcelona striker Neymar recently moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.

Pele, who died in December aged 82, scored 77 goals for Brazil in 92 appearances between 1957 and 1971.

The win was the perfect start for new coach Fernando Diniz, who took over from predecessor Tite in the wake of the Selecao’s World Cup quarter-final exit last year.

Diniz paid tribute to Neymar, whose role in the squad has been under scrutiny.

“Many did not know what he would come to do, and he came to do what he did: have fun, score two goals and break the record,” he said.

“He is a very big idol, people must recognize him and accept him,” he added.

In Friday’s other game, Uruguay turned on the style, under new coach Marcelo Bielsa, as they beat Chile 3-1.

The qualification process for the expanded 48-team World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, offers two extra places for South America with six teams qualifying directly.

The seventh out of the 10 nations will head to an inter-continental play-off.

The opening games on Thursday saw Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 with a goal from Lionel Messi while Peru drew 0-0 at Paraguay and Colombia beat Venezuela 1-0.

READ: Labuschagne ready and waiting as Green adds to Australia’s injury woes

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo said on Wednesday that he wants to go “even further” after becoming the first player to score 850 career goals with Saudi club side Al-Nassr. 

Cristiano Ronaldo was named in Portugal’s squad on Friday for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg.

“I want more,” the forward told a press conference before training with the national side at Oeiras, on the outskirts of Lisbon, ahead of upcoming European Championship qualifiers.

“As long as I play I want to set the bar very high, I have to think big,” continued the 38-year-old.

Ronaldo marked his 200th international cap last June by scoring the only goal in Portugal’s victory over Iceland, which allowed the Selecao to stay top of Group J in Euro 2024 qualifying.

On Friday, the 2016 European champions will play Slovakia in Bratislava and Luxembourg three days later at the Algarve stadium, in the south of Portugal.

“I really want to win these two matches. If we win we will practically qualify,” said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Asked about his rivalry with Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Ronaldo replied that the two “respected each other” and he believes they have “changed the history of football”.

Ronaldo this year marks his 20th anniversary in the national side, saying he was “proud” of this “longevity”.

“I want to continue because I feel good and useful but anything can happen,” he said, adding for now he wanted to “enjoy the moment” and set himself the goal of “having an excellent Euro”.

Portugal squad for Euro 2024 Qualifiers:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto/POR), Jose Sa (Wolves/ENG), Rui Patricio (Roma/ITA)

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Nelson Semedo (Wolves/ENG), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City/ENG), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Toti (Wolves/ENG).

Midfielders (6): Joao Palhinha (Fulham/ENG), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal/KSA), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Otavio (Al-Nassr/KSA), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG)

Forwards (7): Ricardo Horta (Braga), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr/KSA), Pedro Neto (Wolves/ENG), Goncalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Diogo Jota (Liverpool/ENG).

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