International Friendly: Ronaldo vs the Republic

Portugal vs Republic of Ireland

Portugal’s Euro 2024 preparations continue at the Municipal de Aveiro on Tuesday when Roberto Martinez’s team take on the Republic of Ireland in their last match before the tournament begins on Friday.   

The Selecao’s warms ups have included a 4-2 win over Finland and then a 2-1 defeat to Croatia, just a second loss in the 13-year reign of Martinez; meanwhile Ireland had an International friendly victory over Hungary last week.

The star attraction in this game; Friendly: Portugal vs Rep of Ireland, is highly likely to be one Cristiano Ronaldo who, at 39 years of age, could well be playing his last major finals in Germany, though I wouldn’t put anything past the super-fit CR7.       

The Portugal vs Republic of Ireland betting odds say the hosts are onto a winner in their final preparation but the Men in Green will give them a good test.     

Talking Points

Martinez’ Portugal is packed with attacking talent

The Selecao have a good chance of improving on their Round of 16 exit at the 2020 Euros with ahost of gifted players capable of ripping apart any defence; while Ronaldo has been re-invented as a centre forward with a number of quick-footed attacking players buzzing around him. With the likes of Manchester City’s Bernard Silva, AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and Barcelona’s Joao Felix ready to create havoc and Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos another lethal striker who scored four goals at the 2022 World Cup, this is a team with a huge attacking threat.

They qualified for the finals by topping their group with tens wins from ten and Portugal have a steely core too, with Fulham’s Joao Palhinha and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernades running the midfield and Manchester City star Ruben Dias marshalling the defence. 

But much of the attention on Tuesday and in Germany will be on Ronaldo; he was rested for the match against Croatia and now he is ready to add to his 128 international goals.       

O’Shea’s Ireland are in transition

The Republic of Ireland missed out on European qualification, finishing fourth in their qualification group, above only the minnows of Gibralter. Ireland lost four of their last five games and ended up with just six points from their eight games.

Interim head coach John O’ Shea was put in charge in February and he is making a good case for being handed the job on a permanent basis, leading his team to a 2-1 win over Hungary last week. Former Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton is on a five-man shortlist drawn up by the Irish FA but, with a draw against Belgium, a narrow defeat to Switzerland and a win over Hungary they can already see some improvement. If he gets a result against Portugal, and his former Manchester United team-mate Ronaldo, then O’ Shea will have a very strong case. And he is looking after a squad in transition, with captain Seamus Coleman, centre back Shane Duffy and wingback Robbie Brady among a number of players in the twilight of their careers.

O’ Shea will use this match to give some younger players game time and Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson is certainly one to watch out for. He missed a penalty in the goalless draw with Belgium but he is a real talent and, at 19 years of age Ferguson has already scored three goals in 12 international appearances.  

We expect the hosts to dominate much of the ball on Tuesday but their visitors will not be easy the break down and Burnley’s impressive centre back Dara O’Shea will have the task of keeping Ronaldo quiet, while the Irish know they will have to take full advantage of any opportunity which comes their way.

History

Portugal fans are dreaming of a repeat of the 2016 Euros when the Selecao ran out as champions, and they have since lifted silverware, winning the 2019 UEFA Nations League. The Republic’s best performances have been a World Cup quarter final appearance in 1990 while the Men in Green reached the Round of 16 in at Euro 2016.

These two teams have met 15 times previously, with Portugal winning eight to the Republic’s four. The last time they met, in 2021, they played out a 0-0 draw while in the previous meeting Ronaldo became the highest all time international scorer with a brace in a 2-1 win for Portugal.  

With four wins and two defeats from the last six games Portugal have better recent form than Ireland who have won two, drawn two and lost two in that time. 

Betting Tip

With Portugal at 1.39 and Ireland at SBOTOP odds of 7.25 we’re expecting a home win.    

Defeat to Croatia, who could be dark horses to go deep into Euro 2024, should they navigate a tough group containing Italy and Spain, was a setback; and Martinez will be keen to head to Germany with a victory, while I’m hoping for plenty of goalmouth action!   

 

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