There's a Portuguese team in a European semi-final for the first time in TWELVE years. And it's not Porto. It's not Benfica. It's not Sporting. It's Braga!
The Warriors from the Minho pull off a huge comeback to yet again show their European prowess.
Let's put some respect on Braga's name!
Armenia vs Portugal kicks off at 5pm, Portugal's first 2026 World Cup qualifier.
It's set to be an emotional match, Portugal's first match since Diogo Jota's passing, and in the wake of the tragic Lisbon funicular disaster that killed at least 16 people.
A day of reflection.
It still doesn't feel real.
Absolute scenes between Porto and Sporting!
Englishman Danny Namaso scores late to salvage a draw before Sporting get 2 reds in 2 minutes while the ball is out of play. Two more reds after full time for good measure, leading to Diogo Costa to ask the referee to calm down. Understandably so.
Perhaps the greatest bounce back from a poor result I've ever seen.
I can't have been the only one fearing Nottingham Forest's fall-off could be coming after the 5-0 hammering last week. To annihilate a top Brighton side 7-0 is unbelievable. Nuno's army dream of Europe! #NFFC
Today I learned that Magdeburg are 1st place in Bundesliga 2 - despite having not won a single home game all season....
Great initiative by Braga, announcing that fans can attend their final home game of the year free of charge!
"SC Braga informs that the game against Casa Pia AC will be OPEN DOOR, allowing entry to all those who wish to support SC Braga. It is not necessary to purchase a ticket"
Saw a report in Saudi that Vitor Pereira's so keen to manage Wolves he would pay his own release clause.
Not that crazy to believe. Pereira is "in love with football" and recently said he has enough money for his kids and his kid's kids. Financials not a big issue for him. Managing in the EPL is.
Wolves returning to their Portuguese roots? A look at Vitor Pereira - the frontrunner to take the reins at struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers: www.tugascout.com/news/2024/12...
Vitoria Guimarães in the Conference League this season:
🟢 Floriana 0-1 VSC
🟢 VSC 4-0 Floriana
🟢 Zurich 0-3 VSC
🟢 VSC 2-0 Zurich
🟢 VSC 3-0 Zrinjski
🟢 Zrinjski 0-4 VSC
🟢 VSC 3-1 Celje
🟢 Djurgarden 1-2 VSC
🟢 VSC 2-1 Mlada Boleslav
🟡 Astana 1-1 VSC
🟢 St Gallen 1-4 VSC
Beyond our wildest expectations.
Vitoria Guimarães. Take a bow. Only Chelsea boast a better Europa Conference League record than the Portuguese outfit.
An incredible career comes to an end as Nani announces that he is hanging up his boots at the age of 38.
Thank you for everything Nani, it was a privilege to watch you take to the field.
We are 40% of the way into the Premier League season and Nottingham Forest are on track to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League. This is surely beyond anyone's wildest expectations. An enthralling campaign from #NFFC so far.
My word Nottingham Forest, what a season this is proving to be so far!
The draw for the FIFA Club World Cup gets underway soon - here's a look at the pots for the first ever edition of the expanded club tournament as FC Porto and SL Benfica look to represent Portugal on the world stage from pot 2: #FIFACWC
Porto's final 3 Europa League league phase games:
Midtjylland (H)
Olympiakos (H)
Maccabi Tel Aviv (A)
A favourable run means they remain well in contention for a playoff spot, but little room for error now. Two wins, or at least a win and two draws, essential.
5pts from 5 so far for Porto.
FT: Astana 1-1 Vitoria Guimarães
Vitoria were great, but wasteful. But feels like a good point. Strange to say considering Astana lost to European minnows TNS last month, but the Kazakh side are formidable at home. In fact, that's the first match they've failed to win at home in Europe this season.
Astana 1-0 Vitoria Guimarães.
For the first time in the Europa Conference League this season, Vitoria Guimarães are trailing. How will they respond?
Ruben Amorim says he's spoken to the press more in just one week at Manchester United than he did in four years at Sporting CP and says he just wants time to work with his players. Obvious hyperbole, but already sounds and looks frustrated at the media circus of English football.
Ruben Amorim masterclass in the opening 2 minutes of his Manchester United career
The path to reclaiming the UEFA Nations League trophy is set 🇵🇹
THEY'VE ONLY GONE AND DONE IT!
San Marino 👏
This is a fascinating group to keep an eye on today
This is the first time I've ever heard this saying, and now I fear I'm going to use it a lot
Portugal Starting XI against Poland: Diogo Costa, Diogo Dalot, Antonio Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Bernardo Silva, João Neves, Bruno Fernandes; Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão.
Midfield? Who needs a midfield? And a holding midfielder? Pff, forget about it.
Roberto Martinez, as we have become accustomed to, names an attacking lineup to take on Poland. A dynamic and modern approach to football, or lunacy that's asking for trouble? Only one way to find out I guess!
I know Portugal play today, but I'm kind of more excited about San Marino versus Gibraltar. A win for San Marino will see them promoted to League C of the Nations League, which is something I never thought I'd say. A draw keeps it in their hands.
This is what makes international football great.
HT: Braga 2-0 Sporting
FT: Braga 2-4 Sporting
Ruben Amorim ends his Sporting managerial career with the most memorable of comebacks. The perfect end to the Sporting script.
Massive day of football in Portugal today:
Braga vs Sporting (18:45)
Benfica vs Porto (20:45)
Ruben Amorim's last match as Sporting manager, with the 'Big Four' in the Primeira Liga facing off.
Not to be missed. Those in the UK can watch BOTH matches LIVE on Triller TV.
Nuno Espirito Santo, manager of the month. Deserved recognition for the ridiculous job he's doing at #NFFC.
Nottingham Forest, 3rd in the league with just one defeat, sitting above Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Villa over a quarter into the season with the second best defence in the league. Stunning.