Portugal are one step away from completing their group with a 100% record when they face Iceland, who have no chance of breaking through from here.
Many have criticized Portugal’s decision to appoint Roberto Martinez to succeed Fernando Santos after their collective failure at the 2022 World Cup. Even Martinez has achieved little with the ‘Belgian Golden Generation’, raising questions about whether he is the right choice to lead Portugal, who face Iceland this week .
The Spaniard has made a stellar impression on those questioning his appointment, with a 100% record in Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. Furthermore, he has made this team a prolific unit, scoring 34 times in seven games in this group.
They are one step away from completing this campaign with a 100% record and adding even more. Earlier in the week they brushed aside Liechtenstein with a surprise 2-0 win as they were expected to score more goals. Portugal have guaranteed themselves a spot in the 1 tip pot and will be looking forward to maintaining their position here in this group.
Iceland, on the other hand, sealed its fate after another demoralizing loss, this time to Slovakia, which practically killed all remaining hopes. Since breaking onto the European scene at UEFA Euro 2016, the islanders have struggled for relevance in subsequent tournaments.
Despite being a point ahead of Bosnia, they are without a play-off spot, although there is still some hope of qualifying via Nations League Group B, which in truth seems unlikely at this stage. All in all there is nothing to play for but pride for the Icelanders and they need to make the most of this game to build confidence for their next stage.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3):
Costa; Cancelo, Inacio, Dias, Guerreiro; Fernandes, Palhinha, B Silva; Felix, Ronaldo, Jota
Probable Lineup (4-3-3):
Olafsson; Sampsted, Palsson, Ingason, Finnsson; Hlynsson, Gudmundsson, Gunnarsson; A Gudjohnsen, Oskarsson, A Sigurdsson
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