Portugal vs. Latvia: World Cup 2018 Qualifying Live Stream, Preview
European champions Portugal face expectations to put on a show on Sunday as they host Latvia in a key FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Estadio Algarve.
It’ll be the Selecao’s second game on home soil since they memorably clinched the UEFA European Championship in the summer. Manager Fernando Santos will be aware of the expectations for his team to earn three points. They’re currently in second place in Group B, three points behind Switzerland, who beat Portugal in the opening match of the pool.
Latvia, meanwhile, will hope to secure what would be one of the biggest results in their history with a victory. Manager Marians Pahars’ team have accrued just three points from their three games so far.
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Here are the key viewing details ahead of this one, how things stand in Group B and a closer look at how this clash is poised to pan out.
| 1 | Switzerland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 9 |
| 2 | Portugal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 2 | +10 | 6 |
| 3 | Hungary | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
| 4 | Faroe Islands | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 4 |
| 5 | Latvia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 3 |
| 6 | Andorra | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | −8 | 0 |
Date: Sunday, November 13
Time: 7:45 p.m. (GMT), 2:45 p.m. (ET), 8:45 p.m. (Local)
Live Stream: FOX Soccer 2GO (U.S.)
Portugal Expected to Turn On Style
After the disappointing loss to Switzerland to begin their World Cup qualifying campaign, Portugal have bounced back in emphatic fashion.
Granted, Andorra and the Faroe Islands haven’t posed the stiffest of opposition for Santos’ side. But six points from a possible six— with 12 goals scored and none conceded in the two encounters—represents a fine job done.
Similar standards are the expectation here, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo and a plethora of attacking talent available to the manager.
It’s been a week to remember for Ronaldo, having signed a new five-year contract with Real Madrid. He’ll be keen to cap it off with another strong display for his country. As the UEFA Euro Twitter feed noted, the 31-year-old is one of the most prolific players ever on the international stage:
While Ronaldo hogs the limelight, there are more reasons to be excited about watching Portugal. A clutch of classy youngsters make up a sizeable section of Santos’ squad.
Renato Sanches is one. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise in 2016.
He won the title with Benfica. He agreed a move to Bayern Munich. Sanches won the Euros with Portugal—clinching the Young Player of the Tournament gong in the process. And he won the coveted Golden Boy accolade.
Although he’s mainly been utilised as a substitute for Bayern so far in 2016-17, already he’s showcased glimpses of his extraordinary talent:
Raphael Guerreiro is another Portuguese international blossoming in the Bundesliga. He joined Borussia Dortmund from Lorient in the summer. He’s most comfortable in a left-back spot. But he has also done a fine job for the team on the left of midfield and in the middle of the park.
As journalist Tom Kundert noted, Guerreiro is one of many outstanding options Portugal possess in wide areas. Gelson Martins, a 21-year-old, also is enjoying a breakthrough term with Sporting CP:
Latvia will find it difficult to contain the talent Portugal will field. In attack, Latvia have only netted once in their three games so far, against Andorra. Pahars’ side have shown defensive determination at times in their qualifying matches. But the hosts will smother and suffocate them here.
Portugal netted early in their last two qualifying matches, paving the way for lopsided triumphs. Provided they do so again, the chasm in class between these two outfits should become abundantly clear over the course of 90 minutes.
Prediction: Portugal 5-0 Latvia
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