Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and the confirmed lineups for Portugal vs Colombia at Miami Stadium, in a 00:30 GMT kick-off on June 28. Portugal will start the game as favourites, but Colombia currently top the group. Roberto Martinez’s team need three points to top the group.
Portugal vs Colombia, Team News and Confirmed Lineups
Portugal Team News
The Portuguese will be looking to top the group and move on to the knockout stages full of confidence. It appears Martinez will have a fully fit squad, with Tomas Araujo recovering from a knock.
Discussing his team’s preparation, Martinez said: “We started preparing for the match against Colombia back in March… We’ve already had 13 training sessions here in Miami to adapt to the weather.”
“The plan was to stay in Miami (Florida) to prepare for the match against Colombia.
“The players are ready for the physical challenge of playing in a different stadium and on a different pitch that is a different turf from what we have in Europe. That’s what we did, we’ve prepared since the first day we arrived in the U.S,” added Martinez.
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Colombia Team News
Speaking to the media ahead of their game against Portugal, Colombian coach Nestor Lorenzo made it clear his team are fully aware of the dangers Portugal will pose: “We’ll try to maintain our style and our footballing identity,” he told reporters on Friday.
“But without a doubt, we have to pay attention to the other characteristics and strengths (Portugal) has. It’s a very well-coached team. They have a coach and players who are at the elite level of world football … and that shows in their game.”
“Both Vitinha and Ronaldo are decisive players. One in the organisation of the game and the quality of his playmaking, and the other in finishing,” he added.
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Portugal Confirmed Lineup
Starting XI: Diogo Costa; Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes; Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Neves, Vitinha; Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, Pedro Neto.
Colombia Confirmed Lineup
Starting XI: Camilo Vargas; Jhon Lucumí, Santiago Arias, Gustavo Puerta, Deiver Machado, Davinson Sánchez; James Rodríguez, Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma; Luis Díaz, Jhon Córdoba.
Featured Image Credit:
IMAGO / HMB-Media
