Portugal has been eliminated from the UEFA Euro 2024. They were beaten 5-3 in penalties against France in the tournament’s quarter-finals. The game was 0-0 till the end of the extra time. Both sides had their chances but failed to capitalise on them. Cristiano Ronaldo was left heartbroken after the game as his fairytale ending to his international career might have just been missed. The Portuguese forward has not commented on his future with the national side.
The 39-year-old struggled to regain earlier glories in the tournament in Germany and left Euro 2024 without scoring except in shootouts. This is the first time that the former Real Madrid striker has not scored any goal in a major tournament. Over the years he has carried along the clubs he represented and the nation on his shoulder by scoring goals. Regardless of being the leading goal scorer in international football, he failed to find the net in the major tournament.
Another veteran from the Os Navegadores who will be hanging his boots is Pepe. The FC Porto captain who is 41 years old has delivered for the side every time he took the field. He has been a leader in the defense for Roberto Martinez’s side over the years. He also will be calling it an end after the exit from the major tournament.
Big task ahead for Roberto Martinez
The two greats might have played their last major tournament for Portugal. It will be a big task for the Spanish manager to fill in the two shoes of the footballers. There are a lot of young stars who are waiting for their opportunity to be in the playing 11 for the national side.
With Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe doubtful, we will take a look at how Portugal can line up in the upcoming major tournaments without their two superstar footballers. Martinez likes to play in the 4-2-3-1 formation with the full-backs who have more freedom to join the attack.
Diogo Costa will start in goal alongside, the two center-back will be Ruben Dias, and Antonio Silva, with Joao Cancelo and Nuno Mendes as the two full-backs. In the midfield, Vitiniha and Joao Palhinha will be starting as the holding midfielders, and on the left Bernardo Silva, on the right Rafael Leao, and Bruno Fernandes will be playing the No.10 role and upfront Diogo Jota can start as striker.
