Iceland will aim to steady their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign as they host a rampant Portugal side looking to keep their perfect start intact.
Age Hareide is a well know coach from Norway, boasting experience coaching some high-profile teams. During his career, he has managed the Denmark national side, Malmo and Rosenberg. He had hoped to bring this rich vein of experience to Iceland and, so far, has not been able to kick the team into top gear.
Last week’s loss to Slovakia let their opponents keep the charge of the second spot in Group J while taking Iceland’s qualification campaign into irrelevance. They are still in the mix but must assemble a string of results to stay in the hunt.
Despite winning only once in three games, Iceland still are the second-best goalscorer in this group behind their next opponent Portugal. That number was boosted by the 7-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein earlier in the campaign. However, they must look to contain the threat the Selecao poses to keep their qualification hopes alive.
While Hareide struggles for relevance as Iceland’s manager, Roberto Martinez has swept aside doubts about his appointment and led Portugal to a dream start. With three wins from three, thirteen goals scored, and none conceded, the Spaniard could not have asked for more from his players.
Cancelo: "Venham cá. Hoje vocês os dois marcam!" #VesteABandeira pic.twitter.com/XHO8YN3KDo
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 18, 2023
They have started this particular round of international fixtures as they ended the previous one. Last week, they met Bosnia and Herzegovina and swiftly put them to the sword. An opening strike from Bernardo Silva was followed by a Bruno Fernandes brace, which led to Portugal winning the contest rather comfortably.
However, Martinez will want his layers to continue on this lush vein of form and bow out of this international break in style. The manager is also aware of the pressure from Slovakia in this group, as they will aim to keep a healthy points gap with their rivals.
Team News & Tactics
Iceland
Iceland will likely miss captain Aron Gunnarsson, who sustained an injury during the warm-up before the Slovakia game. He remains uncertain about the Portugal clash but is not completely out of contention. There might be a late fitness test, but if he fails that, it will come as a big blow for Hareide.
Burnley star Johann Berg Gudmundsson will wear the captain’s armband in that scenario. Iceland will likely maintain their 4-3-3 attacking shape, as Age Hareide looks to build a solid foundation with this team as an attacking unit rather than having a pragmatic approach of the past.
Victor Palsson and Sverrir Ingason will play the central defensive roles, while Valgier Lunddal Fridriksson will sit at the base of midfield. He will have Willum Willumsson and Gudmundsson on either side and provide the ammunition for the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Runarsson; Magnusson, Ingason, Piasson, Samsted; J.Gundmundsson, Fridriksson, Willumsson; A.Gundmundsson, Finnbogason, Thortelnsson
Portugal
Roberto Martinez kept Renato Sanches and Toti Gomes on the bench and is unlikely to bring those two back for this trip to Iceland. For now, the Spaniard’s system seems flawless and has no reason for tweaks or minor changes.
🔥 Vamos ao jogo! #VesteABandeira pic.twitter.com/ht06Kfg8w5
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 17, 2023
The manager might keep the same defensive back three, with Danilo Pereira, Ruben Dias and Antonio Silva starting. He could name a near-intact lineup that beat Bosnia last week, with only one change in midfield likely to happen.
Ruben Neves, who provided a delightful cross for Fernandes’ first goal against Bosnia, might replace Joao Palhinha in midfield. He will have the latter in the central position as his partner, while Joao Cancelo and Raphael Guerreiro will occupy the wide areas.
Cristiano Ronaldo will most certainly keep leading the line for Portugal. Bernardo Silva, who was on the scoresheet against Bosnia, will take an advanced position behind the record goalscorer and have Joao Felix in a similar role for the company.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Costa; Pereira, Dias, A.Silva; Cancelo, Neves, fernandes, Guerreiro; B.Silva, Felix; Ronaldo
Key Stats
- Iceland has scored the second most goals in Group J behind leaders Portugal.
- Iceland sits in the fifth spot after three games and has taken only three points so far.
- Iceland and Portugal scored in the teams’ last three meetings.
- Portugal have scored 13 goals from their three group games, conceding none so far.
- Portugal have won 4 of their last 6 international games in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Ruben Neves
Rúben Neves to Al Hilal details 🔵🇵🇹🇸🇦
◉ €55m fixed fee to Wolverhampton;
◉ Agreement with Barça collapsed;
◉ Contract signed until June 2026;
◉ Main part of medical tests done;
◉ Club statement expected this week.
👀 Koulibaly could join him soon.
Confirmed. ✅🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/8jEQSz68ts
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 19, 2023
The Portuguese midfielder has made headlines for an unusual career decision. Despite heavy speculation to grace one of the European or English sides from next season, Neves has incidentally chosen to continue his career in the lucrative Saudi Arabian league.
As things stand, he will join compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo there. But at such a young age, was that a wise decision? Following his exit from a top-five European league could come to affect his career with the national team, but consistent showings under Martinez could keep his place safe. He has a brilliant chance to showcase that with this game against Iceland.
Prediction
Iceland 0-3 Portugal
Portugal will land in Iceland in rampant form, and nothing seems to suggest the home side could stop this run. On the other hand, the hosts are seeking a result that could slightly open the group at the top while keeping them relevant in the hunt for qualification.
However, Roberto Martinez’s men will not stop scoring goals and will seek another big result on the road. Iceland has yet to show the quality and character to stop this Portuguese side. Moreover, the Selecao could score plenty and keep a fourth clean sheet in as many games.
