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World Cup 2018: Portugal team profile

Cristiano Ronaldo models Portugal's home kit for Russia 2018. Pic: Nike
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo will lead Portugal out at Russia 2018. Pic: Nike

From fixtures and fun facts to the key men, all you need to know about Portugal ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Manager: Fernando Santos

Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo - Who else but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner - the 33-year-old has been in fine goalscoring form for Real Madrid in 2018.

How they qualified: Group B winners in European qualifying, pipping Switzerland to first on goal difference after beating the Swiss 2-0 in the final round of matches.

History: Six World Cup appearances, first reaching the finals in 1966, where they progressed to the semi-finals, losing to eventual winners England. A run to the semis in 2006 was ended by France.

Fun fact: Portugal will look to become the fourth nation to hold both the World Cup and European Championship titles - West Germany (1972, 1974), France (1998, 2000), Spain (2008, 2010, 2012).

Best World Cup moment: The great Eusebio lit up the 1966 World Cup. The forward scored nine goals to finish as the tournament's top scorer, netting in all but one game. Fresh from scoring four goals in the 5-3 quarter-final win over North Korea, Eusebio was powerless to prevent England from reaching the final, despite scoring a late penalty in the 2-1 semi-final defeat.

Also See:

Player you've never heard of: Goncalo Guedes - The on-loan Valencia winger, 21, was named in Portugal's squad for March's friendlies after impressing in Spain.

Kit: Home - Red and green, Away - All white

Group B fixtures: Spain (7pm, June 15, Sochi), Morocco (1pm, June 20, Moscow), Iran (7pm, June 25, Saransk)

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