Portugal: Power Ranking Their Squad Members After the Euro 2012 Group Stages

After a disappointing opening game, Portugal turned things around and advanced out of the group of death.

Led by their captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese attacked quickly. And, when called upon, the team defended relatively well.

By winning their last two games, the Portuguese side puts itself in good position to reach the semifinals. The team will need to continue playing well, but a deep run in the tournament is definitely possible.

For this article, I have power ranked the play of the Portugal players in the first three matches. If the player got in the game, he made the list.

15. Custodio

This is the best picture I could get of Custodio because he only played 20 minutes in the final group match.

He didn't particularly help Portugal advance, but he got in the game. If he gets an opportunity to shine in the knockout stages (for whatever reason), he needs to make the most of it.

14. Rolando

Rolando is a tough defender, but Portugal is set in the back.

He's come on as a late sub in the past two games, but he hasn't had time to make an impact. If nothing else, his time wasted while he gets on the field counts for more than his actual time on the pitch.

If Bruno Alves or Pepe get suspended or hurt, Rolando must step up and play well. He's more than capable; he just needs the chance.

13. Nelson Oliveira

Nelson Oliveira has provided a solid change of pace for the last half hour of each of Portugal's matches.

He hasn't produced a goal yet, but he looks dangerous up top. If Helder Postiga continues to struggle, Oliveira could get a chance to start. Until then, he will only have 30 minutes to make an impact.

12. Helder Postiga

Watching Helder Postiga play up top for Portugal is incredibly frustrating.

His touch has been slow, and he doesn't seem to have much chemistry with either of the world-class wingers. By all accounts Postiga is a solid goal-scorer and threat up top, but his ability to kill attacks has been on display this tournament, and it needs to end.

If Postiga continues to start and play as poorly as he has, Portugal will be in trouble.

11. Silvestre Varela

Silvestre Varela hasn't played much in the Euros, but he scored the biggest goal in Portugal's survival.

Without his goal, Portugal would've been in serious trouble heading into the final day, and the team might not have advanced. Instead, his goal gave Portugal a great moment and a ton of momentum.

Don't expect Varela to be a super sub in every match. But he's done it once and could do it again.

10. Raul Meireles

Raul Meireles hasn't done a whole lot in the European Championships.

He hasn't played terribly, but he certainly hasn't brought much to the table. Meireles is a solid player, but he can't seem to find his form. It's been nearly a year since he was at his top form and who knows when he'll find it again.

Meireles hasn't cost Portugal yet, but he's a bad giveaway waiting to happen. Meireles needs to turn things around or any decent midfield will tear Portugal up.

9. Rui Patricio

Rui Patricio hasn't had a bad tournament but he certainly hasn't made a huge impact.

He's conceded four goals in three matches, even though Portugal have barely given up a dozen shots. The defense has been playing well, and each of the goals have been solid. However, Patricio needs to make a big save or two to keep Portugal advancing.

8. Miguel Veloso

Miguel Veloso has been sitting back in the midfield pretty well.

He has strong defenders behind him, which makes his job a lot easier. His tackling has been solid, but his distribution has been somewhat slow. When he is looking to get the ball wide, it needs to be quicker.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani need the ball at their feet, and Veloso is a key facilitator. If he plays well, the wingers will destroy the opponents.

7. Joao Pereira

Joao Pereira didn't play very well in the first two games, but he turned things around against the Netherlands.

He set up Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal on one of the best assists of the tournament. As the defense opened up, Ronaldo made a spectacular run and Pereira slipped through a brilliant pass. Not many right-backs can make that pass, but Pereira made it look easy.

If he keeps attacking as well as he did against the Netherlands, Portugal will be in great shape.

6. Joao Moutinho

Joao Moutinho was primed for a breakout tournament.

He has had a couple very good seasons at Porto. There have been some rumours linking him to bigger clubs. With a big tournament, he could easily be a marquee transfer.

Unfortunately, Moutinho hasn't busted out at the Euros. He's played well and gone forward effectively, but he hasn't quite taken over a game yet. With that said, he's been Portugal's best midfielder so far, and he's one of the biggest keys to their success.

5. Bruno Alves

Bruno Alves has combined with Pepe to form a very strong central defense for Portugal.

There have been some mishaps in Portugal's defense, but they've been strong on the ball. Opponents haven't been able to go through the middle, but they've been able to attack through the air.

Alves has been solid, but the marking and organization in the back needs to be good for a full 90 minutes. He's a key part of it, and he needs to keep the defense focused for an entire match.

4. Fabio Coentrao

Fabio Coentrao has had a great tournament.

He's moved forward well and defended well. Essentially, he's locked down the right side of the pitch.

With Coentrao in such great form, Cristiano Ronaldo is able to stay forward. He can track back for the ball, but he doesn't need to worry about defending. Coentrao has been in great form and he's given Portugal a great performance so far.

3. Nani

Nani has played very well this tournament.

His runs up the side make defenders cringe, and his aggressive crosses keep the central defenders on their toes. Whenever Nani has the ball on his feet, defenses have to face him. When that happens, Cristiano Ronaldo gets loads more space on the left side.

Nani is the perfect compliment to Ronaldo. When they're both in-form, Portugal is a nightmare for opposing fullbacks. Right now, Portugal's attack is a pretty big nightmare.

2. Pepe

Pepe is one tough defender.

He's strong in the air. He's a strong tackler. Most importantly, he's an enforcer.

Unfortunately, his temper can sometimes get the best of him. While Pepe is a very good player and keeps the back line together, he can get himself in trouble with reckless challenges and cards.

Pepe has a goal in the tournament, and he should have two. His defense is what makes him good, but his attacking ability on set pieces makes him great.

With Pepe playing like this, Portugal have a great chance of going deep in the tournament.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

After two sub-par performances, Cristiano Ronaldo showed his true colors.

His passion was evident, and his two goals against the Netherlands put Portugal into the knockout stages. He's a great player, and he finally played like it. His 12 shots against Holland was a Euro record. He kept putting pressure on the Dutch and was the biggest reason Portugal advanced.

No, Ronaldo didn't play three great games. But he did have a legendary performance against the Netherlands and he's captaining his team into the quarterfinals. If Ronaldo keeps dominating like he did against the Dutch, Portugal could very well win this tournament.