The Selecao started the tournament perfectly as they beat Hungary 3-0 in their own den at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest. The Cristiano Ronaldo-led squad couldn’t muster an opening for 83 minutes before firing in 3 goals in the space of less than ten minutes.
Defending champions Portugal didn’t mess about as they knew 3 points against Hungary would be crucial with Germany and France scheduled after a comparatively easier opening fixture.
On the other hand, Germany was completely dominated by France as Die Mannschaft looked no match for Didider Deschamps’ men and had to suffer a humiliating 1-0 defeat in front of their own supporters.
Joachim Low is in charge of the German side for the last time as the 61-year old is stepping down from the national team job after being at the helm for 15 years. His side flattered to deceive against the World Champions, but the German fans would be hoping for a better showing against Portugal.
Team News
Ferrando Santos lost Joao Cancelo’s services before the opening fixture after the Manchester City star returned a Covid-19 positive report. Nelson Semedo troubled the Hungarian defence with his runs down the right-wing, but Germany left wing-back Robin Gosens will be a tougher test for the Wolves man. Rafa Silva impressed from the bench and may start against Germany.
Germany needs to make a few changes as Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller failed to come good in the last match. Timo Wener and Leroy Sane could add some pace to the toothless German attack.
Mats Hummels has been called back from his international retirement, but it looked like a shabby decision against the pace and trickery of Kylian Mbappe and Ronaldo could trouble the Borussia Dortmund defender.
Key Players
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace late into the match against Hungary, breaking several records, including most goals at Euros, most appearances at Euros, and is nearing the all-time international goalscoring record. The Seleco skipper currently has 106 goals for Portugal, only 3 less than Iranian legend Ali Daei and the Juventus star certainly wouldn’t mind overtaking Daei on Saturday.
Already a Premier League Player of the Year at the age of 22, Ruben Dias is taking part in his first European Championship, and the Man City defender is expected to partner Pepe in the centre of the defence and build out attacks from the back.
Atalanta star Robin Gosens was the best German player on the pitch against France, and a battle against Nelson Semedo ensues as the left wing-back would be crucial in supporting his attackers further forward whilst keeping the likes of Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes silent at the back.
Timo Werner is expected to use his raw speed and trouble the Portuguese defence after an underwhelming first season with Chelsea despite winning the UEFA Champions League at the business end of the season.
Prediction
Ronaldo, Jota, Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafa Silva, Sanches and Guerreiro possess enough talent between them to trouble an unstable German defence and outscore their blunt attack.
Planning a perfect farewell for someone who has unselfishly served the country for 15 years is never easy. But lifting the UEFA European Championship trophy at the end of the tournament might help the Germans, and they would have to gather some points against Portugal in a bid to do that.
The pace of Wener, Sane, and Kai Havertz, along with the midfield duo of Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan, should get the job at hand completed.
