Attractive since the start of the World Cup, the Portugal team never ceases to surprise. If Patrice Laguesquet’s men perform better than those in the competition, It is also thanks to the clever combination of sudden youth and great experience…
We have a good number of young Portuguese players who are developing. They are not yet mature enough for selection, but they may aim to enter a professional club training center and thus prepare for the very high level.
Handover between the captain and the minuet
As leaders, experienced players such as Samuel Márquez, Francisco Fernandez, Antoni Alves, Jose Lima. Each of them has strong experience in the French Championship, particularly in the Pro D2 Championship, or even the Top 14. This makes them natural leaders given their age and experience within a team that is on the verge of development.
Behind them, there are players at the top of their game such as Pedro Bettencourt, Nuno Souza Guedes and Stevie Cerqueira. The true leaders during this World Cup, who will likely take on these roles as leaders in the near future.
It’s never easy to play at this level and perform for two weeks in a row. They can be proud of their ability to react and defend the line. We lack a bit of discipline, but when you’re a young player it’s difficult to stay in control in a game like this.
Finally, “the minuet.” And they are many. Against the team that tied with Georgia, no fewer than 7 players under the age of 26 were named starters. In all, they represent about half of the group selected by Patrice Laguesquet. This makes Portugal a team that can give itself the right to look to the future.
This will depend on the development of the exchanges between Level 1 and Level 2. Direct confrontations will help us develop and this is where we will find what we need to compete.
Rafael Costa Storti, youth icon against Georgia
On Saturday at Toulouse, all eyes were on Rodrigo Marta, his friend on the opposite wing, last year’s national player of the year and the national team’s all-time top scorer at just 23 years old. The substitute against Wales, Rafael Costa Storti, expected no less to appear on screen and surprise everyone.Football. Portugal’s X-factor and national team’s top scorer, who is Rodrigo Marta?Firstly, the first solo effort from 40 meters after a devastating inside hook that sweeps the entire defense in its path. The door opens, and the winger sticks out the goal. Coming? Another personal achievement of 40 metres. Fly-half Geronimo Portela opens the door with a pass after contact, sets up the entire second curtain, and tries. He even came close to scoring the winning try late in the game before being caught out in a tackle that could have been penalized. Against all expectations on Saturday in Toulouse, the constant danger came from the right wing.
But against all odds, in whose favor? Discerning observers and even Biterrois supporters witnessed his 10 goals in just 12 games in Pro D2 last season. Only 22 years old and playing internationally for 3 seasons already, he distinguished himself notably with five goals against the Netherlands in 2021.
Pro D2. 5 tries in 3 matches, and one of Portugal’s biggest hopes, here is Rafael Costa Storte
Georgia and Portugal a common cause soon?
World Cup draw between Georgia and Portugal – what better way to stir up volatile controversy in the six-nation tournament? In fact, for several years, the Lilo family has been advocating this idea. They are the ones who do not feel inferior to Italy, for example. Today, everything indicates that the Portuguese national team may join their cause in the future.
