By Emily Wyatt (21/06/2025)
Above: Portugal lineup ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Photo: Portugal Football.
An exciting summer is on the horizon for Portugal. Despite being labelled as one of the weaker teams in Western European football since its formation, it is clear in recent years they have been swiftly switching things up. Going into their fourth major tournament, excited eyes will be placed on Portugal to see how far they can go in Switzerland.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Inês Pereira (Servette), Patrícia Morais (Braga), Rute Costa (Famalicão).
Defenders: Lúcia Alves (Benfica), Catarina Amado (Benfica), Ana Borges (Sporting), Carole Costa (Benfica), Diana Gomes (Braga), Joana Marchão (Sporting), Ana Seiça (Tigres).
Midfielders: Andreia Norton (Benfica), Fátima Pinto (Sporting), Tatiana Pinto (Atlético Madrid), Dolores Silva (Braga), Andreia Faria (Benfica), Beatriz Fonseca (Sporting), Andreia Jacinto.
Forwards: Ana Capeta (Sporting), Telma Encarnação (Sporting), Carolina Mendes (Racing Power), Stephanie Ribeiro, Diana Silva (Sporting), Jéssica Silva (Gotham FC).
Head Coach
Francisco Neto has been at the core of the Portuguese side for the last nine years, since 2014. At 32-years-old he came in to manage the side after exiting his role as manager of the Goa Under-21 team, who he had previously led to victory in the Lusophone Games.
Undeniably, he has guided this team to steady success over the past nine years. After leading them to their first European Championships in 2017, they have been successful in qualifying for every European tournament since, along with World Cup qualification too.
Despite being unsuccessful in their last four consecutive games, the past few years have not only consisted of continuous defeats for Francisco Neto’s side.Throughout 2024 they were left unbeaten in all international games that they had played, which undoubtedly created huge amounts of confidence within the team and within the Portuguese fans looking in from the outside.
Euros History
Including qualification for this summer’s tournament, Portugal have managed to compete in three European Championships consecutively. Their first time qualifying for the tournament was in 2017 however, their time in the tournament quickly came to an end in the group stages after having to compete against tough teams such as England and Spain in their first few opening games. Despite going onto qualify again for the 2022 edition of the tournament, it was almost the same story for Portugal after they came last again in another tough group stage.
Although the outcome of both tournaments didn’t shine the best light on Portugal, they still managed to put up a fierce fight. It wasn’t all upset for the team and that was clear when they still managed to pick up a point against Switzerland in 2022 and three points after beating Scotland in 2017 in the groups, with goal scorers including Jessica Silva and Ana Leite.
Qualification
Portugal’s Euro 2025 qualification journey began in the UEFA Nations League. It was clear they were on a ruthless run within their group after they claimed all three possible wins against Malta, Northern Ireland, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
This secured their spot in the play-offs, a place that is very familiar to Portugal. However, this did not phase them at all, and their momentum powered them through to claiming a 2-1 victory over Czech Republic as well as a spot in Switzerland this summer.
Strengths
Portugal has many elements of excellence and uniqueness throughout their team, both within individual players and as a collective. Working like clockwork in the center of the pitch, Andreia Jacento is at the heart of her team’s every move. An adaptable midfielder who provides a multitude of opportunities for her teammates such as Ana Capeta.
Despite having aspects of power and prestige all around the pitch, it is clear that one of Portugals main strengths lie within their midfield and wingers. Having players such as Jessica Silva and Tatiana Pinto will certainly create a sense of confidence and security for Portugal. If they make sure to play to their strengths, it is more than likely that they will have an incredible shot at going further this summer.
Development Areas
The team has incredible players throughout when it comes to the different positions across the pitch. However, when it comes to the defensive element of their game, there are many questions held above them. Although they have dynamic defenders at the back including Carole Costa, Fatima Pinto, and Ana Borges, it would be more than likely unsettling for the team if there was a reason why these players could not be included in the squad due to a lack of defensive depth on the bench.
Luckily, Francisco Neto’s side has many versatile players such as Ana Borges who can play as left-back and right winger. However, this would then take away depth from other elements of the pitch, which would be a brand-new issue for the Portuguese side.
Key Players
There are many key players who have made their mark and cemented their place in this Portugal team throughout the years and who continue to do so.
One of these players is Jessica Silva. Not only has the 30-year-old stood out over the years for Portugal itself, but she has also made her mark in the history books within domestic football. The winger won the Champions League in the 2019/2020 season with Olympic Lyonnais where she featured in two matches, in which she scored one goal. Currently, she plays for Gotham FC in the NWSL. For many years she has caused a huge threat upfront and down the wing against many opponents and her profile and popularity shines a huge light on this Portuguese side.
Another key player for the team is Diana Silva. The striker has 25 goals and 116 caps for her national team, making it clear that she is unstoppable when it comes to scoring goals for her team. Domestically, Silva plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal Feminino which is team based in Lisbon, where she has been for the last nine years. Her elements of power and prestige undoubtedly put up an immediate threat towards opponents, which quickly gives her a unique advantage in almost any game.
One to watch
Right-back Lúcia Alves (Benfica) has been a revelation in the last few seasons. In the 2023-24 season, she provided 15 assists in addition to scoring three goals; the defender likes to get involved in the attack. Portugal’s system under Francisco Neto relies heavily on overlapping full-backs; Alves looks primed to be a game-changer down the flank.
Success would be
The aim for Francisco Neto and his team will be to make it out of the group stages this summer. They have competed in the last two consecutive European Championships, but they have never managed to make it out of the group stages where they have finished at the bottom of the table each time.
To make it out of the group stages this summer and make it into the knockout stages of the tournament would create a huge sense of confidence and determination throughout the team and the fans. Despite whether Portugal were to be knocked if they got through, they would undoubtedly create history for their country and a magnitude of pride throughout the team and their nation.
Prediction
If Portugal play to their strengths this summer, they should have the capability to meet their targets. They have individual skills and uniqueness throughout their team and if they find their click, they could do well.
However, this will only be their third time making an appearance in this tournament and their fourth time in a general major tournament. Therefore, no matter how the road lays out for the team, every element of the summer will contribute to new experiences which they will most certainly utilize in future tournaments if it doesn’t go as planned this summer.
Group fixtures
3rd July – Spain, Stadion Wankdorf, Bern, 8pm UK time
7th July – Italy, Stade de Geneve, Geneva, 8pm UK time
11th July – Belgium, Stade de Tourbillon, Sion, 8pm UK time
This is the latest part of our Euros nation previews – click on the links below to view the previous articles:
SWITZERLAND: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/16/euros-preview-switzerland-2/
NORWAY: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/17/euros-preview-norway/
FINLAND: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/18/euros-preview-finland-2/
ICELAND: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/19/euros-preview-iceland-2/
SPAIN: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/20/euros-preview-spain-2/
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