Our prediction for this Euro 2024 match:
Portugal
Match Time & Date:
11 September 2023
19:45
Prediction: 3-0
Luxembourg
Portugal will look to keep their 100% record in Group J intact when they face Luxembourg on Monday evening. A Selecao are on the right track to book their place at the 2024 European Championship finals, but boss Roberto Martinez must warn his men against complacency. Star striker Cristiano Ronaldo serves a one-game ban, while there are no fresh injury worries in the home team. PSG summer signing Goncalo Ramos is widely expected to replace CR7 in the starting XI. Luxembourg, on the other hand, are eyeing their fourth consecutive win in the process.
The Red Lions, though, will have a much bigger fish to fry against Portugal, who are a real force to be reckoned with at home. To make things even worse for the visiting team, important midfielder Martins Pereira misses out through suspension. Earlier in the process Portugal crushed Luxembourg 6-0.
Highlighted Player (Cristiano Ronaldo):
Cristiano Ronaldo is considered one of the world’s best football players. The Portuguese ace was born on 5 February, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira and he played for the likes of Andorinha, Nacional and Sporting during his youth career. CR7 made his Sporting debut in Primeira Liga on 7 October, 2002, scoring two goals in a 3-0 win over Moreirense.
Manchester United scouts spotted him and one year later he joined the Old Trafford outfit. Ronaldo became the most expensive teenager in the history of the Premier League and he received the number 7 shirt. He quickly established himself as the team’s key player and it has to be noted that he won three consecutive Premier League trophies with the Red Devils (2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009). In 2008 he helped the Old Trafford outfit beat Chelsea in the Champions League final, scoring for Alex Ferguson’s troops in the regular time.
Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009 and he helped the Spanish giants with two Champions League trophies. In 2016 he won the European Championship trophy with Portugal. The Real Madrid ace has two Golden Ball awards (2013, 2014).
Highlighted Team (Luxembourg):
Luxembourg national football team is controlled by Luxembourg Football Federation and they play their home games at Stade Josy Barthel. Les Lions Rouges have never qualified for the finals of a major tournament, but they often make life difficult for European teams in the qualifiers.
Luxembourg defeated Macedonia in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, but a victory over Czech Republic in the 1996 European Championship qualifying match is considered the team’s biggest success. Les Lions Rouges play their home matches in red shirts and red shorts, while they wear white jerseys and white shorts when playing on the travels.
Jeff Strasser is both the most famous and the most capped Luxembourg player and it has to be noted that the former Bundesliga player made 98 appearances for the national team. Luxembourg recorded their biggest win against Afghanistan (6-0), in the match that was played in London in 1948. Speaking of their biggest defeat, Luxembourg were outclassed by England 9-0 on two occasions (1960, 1982).
Sabah Baku
Celje
AEK Larnaca
Partizan
Paks
CFR Cluj
Shakhtar Donetsk
Ilves
Trnava
Hacken
Legia
Aktobe
