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FootballPortugal’s Route to Euro 2024 Final: Who They Face in Last 16, Quarter Final, Semis and Final
- Portugal sealed their place in the Round of 16 with a game to spare, but who could they potentially face on their journey to the final?
- The Selecao might need to overcome formidable teams such as France, Germany, Spain, or Belgium to realise their aspirations
- Despite the arduous hurdles in their path, the 2016 Euro champions will fall on talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo and a host of their stars
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By topping Group F, Portugal has found itself on the 'toughest' side of the draw for the Euro 2024 knockout stage.
But who are their most likely opponents as the Selecao chase a second European Championship title?
Sports Brief examines Portugal's potential path to the final, outlining their probable adversaries in the Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and grand final.
Portugal's route to Euro 2024 final
How did they perform in the group stages?
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So far, Portugal's campaign has been a rollercoaster, yet despite some sub-par performances, they remain one of the favourites in the competition.
The 2016 champions demonstrated grit and resilience when it mattered, coming from behind to secure a win against the Czech Republic in their opening group match, Eurosport reports.
Roberto Martinez's charges then showcased their attacking prowess against Turkey, scoring three times, with one of the strikes being an own goal.
However, in their third and final group game, the Cristiano Ronaldo-led side suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat to Georgia, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament.
What's next for Portugal?
Winning Group F has brought its own challenges, as Portugal now finds itself on the tougher side of the bracket on their path to the final, per Squawka.
How underdogs have fared in previous Euro tournaments
FootballDespite the ups and downs, their determination and ability to bounce back will be crucial as they navigate the knockout stages.
Last 16 opponents: Slovenia
On paper, Portugal's wealth of attacking talent should be more than sufficient to overcome Slovenia, who advanced to the last 16 without a single group stage victory.
Slovenia's main strength lies in its defensive resilience. They conceded only twice and held England to a goalless draw.
Given their firepower and past success, Portugal is expected to clear this hurdle on Monday, July 1.
Quarter-final opponent: France or Belgium
The path gets tougher for Portugal as they move higher, potentially facing a matchup against either France or Belgium.
Although both teams have been underwhelming in the competition so far, Martinez will be well aware of the threat his potential quarter-final opponents pose.
Aside from their 1-0 victory in the 2016 Euro final, Portugal has lost four out of six head-to-head encounters with France, according to Ai Score.
Euro 2024: Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag explains why England are favourites to win tournament
FootballShould push come to shove and Les Bleus fail to glitter in their last-16 tie, Belgium will be their opponents, and the Red Devils have all it takes to do a number on Portugal.
Semi-final opponents: Spain/Georgia or Germany/Denmark
Spain or Germany are likely opponents in the semi-finals, though Denmark is also a possibility if they beat the tournament hosts in the last 16.
Final: ?
England appears to be Portugal's most likely opponent in the final. However, given Gareth Southgate's team's underperformance, the Netherlands and Italy are also strong challengers.
Euro 2024 Round of 16 preview and prediction
Sports Brief also previewed and predicted the Euro Round of 16 match-ups following the conclusion of an enthralling group stage.
The last 16, starting on Saturday, June 29, promises entertainment as top teams like Portugal and Germany battle for their places.