Quarterfinal Spot Within Reach

This Friday, Portugal’s national football team will face Poland in a decisive match for the UEFA Nations League, as they aim to secure a place in the quarterfinals. The clash, part of Group A1’s fifth and penultimate round, is scheduled for 19:45 at the Estádio do Dragão, Porto.

Path to Qualification Portugal sits atop Group A1 with 10 points, three ahead of second-placed Croatia. A draw against Poland is enough to confirm their place in the next phase. Even in the event of a narrow loss, Portugal would still progress, thanks to their superior standings.

A victory would guarantee Portugal the group’s top spot and a seeded position for the quarterfinal draw, but only if Croatia fails to win against Scotland, who host the Croatians at Hampden Park at the same time. Should Portugal draw, they would need a Scottish victory to secure first place.

Challenges and Opportunities Portugal heads into the match without several key players, including Rúben Dias, a standout performer in the group stage and under coach Roberto Martínez, as well as Gonçalo Inácio, João Palhinha, and Diogo Jota, all sidelined with injuries.

Poland, still mathematically in contention for qualification, also faces significant setbacks, with star forward and captain Robert Lewandowski ruled out due to injury.

This scenario opens the door for potential debuts in Portugal’s senior team, with Tomás Araújo, Tiago Djaló, and Nuno Tavares among the names under consideration.

What’s at Stake A win would not only confirm Portugal’s spot in the newly introduced quarterfinal stage—an addition to the competition format—but also bolster their ambitions to repeat the success of 2018/19, when they won the inaugural Nations League.

With the stakes high and both teams dealing with key absences, the Estádio do Dragão promises an intense showdown. Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumsas will officiate the game.

Current Standings in Group A1

Portugal – 10 points

Croatia – 7 points

Poland – 4 points

Scotland – 1 point

The top two teams from each of the four groups in League A will advance to the quarterfinals of this fourth edition of the Nations League.