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Alberto Rubio
Updated
The sufficiency with which Belgium reached the final phase of World Cups and Eurocups It was one of the aspects that Portugal – historically managed to seal the pass in the Repesca or the last minute – more valued when he chose Roberto Martínez as a substitute for Fernando Santos.
In the three classification phases that he played with the ‘Red Devils’ -Rumbo to Russia 2018, the Euro 2020 and Qatar 2022- razed: He registered 25 victories, three draws, zero defeats, 108 goals in favor and only 15 against.
Roberto Martínez protests a foul on ‘Chico’ Conceiçao.EFE
A script that was repeated with Portugal on the way to the Eurocup 2024. The ‘Seleçao das Quinas’ – then would fall in the quarterfinals, by penalties, against France – achieved the fastest and less suffered classification of its history. He recorded full of victories (10 of 10) and goals record: he scored 36 and only received two.
Now you can also boast have guided Portugalchampion of the first edition, to the ‘Final Four’ of the Nations League 2024-25. Germany (host) awaits you in Semis.
Until Munich, again, the road has been (almost) impeccable: five victories, two draws and one defeat. The only stumbling came against Denmark (1-0) in the first leg … But Portugal completedThe ‘Reviravolta’ (comeback) in the Alvalade (5-2) by the hand of a carrier stellar.
The former Barcelona, author of a double, was one of The changes that ‘Bob’ introduced, even with 2-2, in search of forcing the extension. Besides, Gonçalo Ramoswhich replaced Cristiano Ronaldo already with 3-2, He scored the final 5-2.
Impossible to better sign the second anniversary of Roberto Martínez’s debut -Then he thrashed Liechtenstein 4-0 that with the pass to the ‘Final Four’ of the Nations League and With his victory number 20 as a Portugal coach. 74 goals are left in favor and 14 goals to zero.
Logic that, after the classification, the former Swansea, Wigan and Everton was exultant: “This is football. There are no easy paths. It is not about always winning 3-0. The team demonstrated all the values of the Portuguese people: resilience, struggle, personality and a lot of quality in the key moments. The selection can be proud. It is time to look towards the ‘Final Four “.
The team demonstrated all the values of the Portuguese people: resilience, struggle, personality and a lot of quality in the key moments
Roberto Martínez
The challenge will now be to improve the ‘bronze’ that was hung with Belgium in the 2018 World Cup. For this he must overcome Germany in Semis. In the final I would expect another ‘bone’: France … or Spain, the country in which he formed as a footballer before making the leap to England.
