Portugal vs Finland

Portugal’s preparations for the 2024 European Championship continue with a handsomely-looking friendly against Scandinavian strugglers Finland.

Ex-Belgium coach Roberto Martinez achieved history with Portugal in Euro 2024 qualifying, inspiring the ‘Selecao’ to their first 100% cycle with ten wins from ten and a formidable goal difference of +34 (GF:36, GA:2). Portugal launched their warm-up campaign in a similar vein, thumping Sweden 5-2, only for Slovenia to beat them 2-0 against the odds last time out and halt Martinez’s perfect start. As Cristiano Ronaldo braces up for his last major tournament as the Portugal captain, the Euro 2016 winners are keen to return to winning ways against a Finland side they’ve lost to only once across their ten previous H2Hs (W5, D4, L1). With each of those five victories accompanied by a clean sheet, the upcoming encounter in Lisbon could be a perfect opportunity for Portugal to post their first shutout in 2024.

On the other hand, Finland couldn’t build on their historic Euro 2020 qualification, finishing third in Group H in this cycle before Wales thrashed them 4-1 in the playoff semi-finals. Despite bouncing back from that catastrophic result with a 2-1 friendly win against Estonia, Markku Kanerva’s men head to the Iberian Peninsula as underdogs. A draw would be an achievement for the Eagle-owls, but none of Finland’s last 12 internationals have ended level (W7, D7). And with Leeds United midfielder Glen Kamara ruled out through injury, their hopes of halting a three-match scoring drought against Portugal are dwindling (D1, L2).