The Portuguese coach wants to avoid Brazil
"It would be better if we and Brazil both top each group," Santos said in a press conference after the 2-0 win over Uruguay on November 28. "Every game between us and Brazil is a big game, but our wish as well as Brazil is to meet later. We want to be at the top of Group H, not just because of Brazil, of course."
Portugal have six points from two games, three points ahead of Ghana, while South Korea and Uruguay are just one point. If they draw or lose to Korea at an acceptable level in the last round, coach Santos and his team will enter the 1/8 round as the top of Group H.
According to the rules, the top team of Group H will play the second place of Group G, and vice versa. In Group G, Brazil also got six points after two matches, and is likely to continue to hold this position after the last match against Cameroon.
On the Lusail field, Portugal defeated Uruguay with a brace from midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Due to five points ahead of Korea and Uruguay, coach Santos's teachers and students won tickets to go ahead one match, like France and Brazil.
According to Santos, Portugal reacted appropriately to Uruguay's aggressive play. During halftime, he asked the players to continue to play organized and pass the ball a lot, as the foundation for victory. "This is a well-deserved win. There were times when we played worse or better, but the important thing was to get through. Now is the time to keep working to improve what can be improved." , Santos emphasized.
In the opening phase, Cristiano Ronaldo jumped to head after Fernandes' cross. However, after reviewing the video, the referee determined that Ronaldo did not touch the ball, so he counted the goal for Fernandes. According to Santos, it doesn't matter which player scores goals, because what makes the most sense is that Ronaldo and Fernandes both played well.
The Portuguese coach also did not appreciate the personal role of Fernandes, the author of two goals and the title of player of the match. He thinks that any player is worthy of praise, including goalkeeper Diogo Costa - who prevented two goals to be seen. "The important thing is that we have a united team and show strong solidarity. That is the way to achieve positive things. We want to bring joy to the Portuguese people," Santos said. let me know.
Portugal started the 2022 World Cup with a 3-2 win over Ghana, thanks to goals from Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Rafael Leao.
Historically, Portugal has never won the World Cup. Their best achievement in this tournament was the bronze medal in 1966. In 2006 - in Ronaldo's first World Cup, the European team reached the semi-finals.
