Portugal finished their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 100 per cent record by beating Iceland 2-0 on Nov 19, after Serbia booked their place at 2024's Finals in Germany and Romelu Lukaku scored four goals for Belgium.
Bruno Fernandes and Ricardo Horta netted the goals for Roberto Martinez's Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo not on the scoresheet, to end with 10 wins from 10 matches in Group J, having scored 36 times and conceded just twice.
It is the first time they have ended a qualification campaign with a perfect record.
Said coach Roberto Martinez: "In big tournaments it can come down to small details against the best players in the world. Sometimes we cannot control the results.
"What we can control are the performances and what we saw in the last 10 games is that the performances are of the highest level."
The 2016 winners will be among the favourites for the title in what could be the 38-year-old Ronaldo's last major tournament.
Midfielder Joao Palhinha cannot wait for Euro 2024 to roll around, saying: "The other big teams will have respect for us, because we know that our individual and collective value is there. I really want the Euro to come."
Esta historia es de la edición November 21, 2023 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 21, 2023 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
K-pop star Psy's home temporarily seized due to penalty arrears
Singer Psy recently had his luxury home in Seoul temporarily seized by the authorities after he failed to pay an administrative penalty imposed by the district office, local media outlets reported on Nov 25.
BTS' Jimin and Jung Kook face off at Billboard Music Awards
K-pop supergroup BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook will face off at the upcoming Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), which will take place on Dec 12.
Stefanie Sun fails to nab Taipei Arena for 2025 world tour
It has been a decade since homegrown Mandopop star Stefanie Sun last headlined her own tour, so when her upcoming world tour Aut Nihilo Sun Yanzi In Concert was announced recently, fans went into a frenzy.
Society is sick': Actor Ryan Lian after netizens laugh at him for being attacked
Local actor Ryan Lian has hit back at netizens who were unkind to him after learning that he was injured in a recent knife attack.
Binge-worthy K-variety series is a celebration of tenacity and sisterhood
Iron Girls follows the trials and triumphs of four award-winning South Korean actresses who signed up for the toughest roles of their lives – participants of the 2024 World Triathlon Cup in Tongyeong.
Problemista's whimsy is wearying, Blitz a conventional WWII drama
Alejandro (Julio Torres) from El Salvador is an aspiring toy designer in New York City. With time running out on his American work visa, he becomes personal assistant to an erratic art critic (Tilda Swinton) as his only hope for a sponsored residency.
Moana 2 charts familiar waters, but stays buoyant
Disney's second voyage with Moana dives deeper into Pacific culture
Shrek director tackles animation taboo in Netflix fairy tale Spellbound
Animated films tackling parent separation and divorce are few and far between.
New head hopes to offer alternative to 'junk food'
General manager of SGIFF Jeremy Chua courts young viewers and social media
Music kings take back their crowns
Must-see MV: G-Dragon – 2024 Mama performance medley
