There are still two quarter final spots to be completed at the FIFA World Cup and Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot’s Portugal will be hoping to book their spot in the quarter finals.
Portugal are playing a difficult match against Switzerland, which is scheduled to kick off at 7pm UK time at the Lusail Stadium.
Having been rested for Portugal’s shock 2-1 defeat to South Korea, Manchester United’s Fernandes will be hoping to start the game against the Swiss, as is Diogo Dalot, who played the game against South Korea and registered an assist as his cut back found Ricardo Horta, who gave Portugal the lead.
A place in the last eight is up for grabs for our Portuguese Reds tonight! 🤞🇵🇹#MUFC || #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/BzG2WSNbCk
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 6, 2022
From a Portugal perspective, it is paramount that Fernandes starts the game because he has arguably been their most influential player with two assists and two goals.
He grabbed two assists in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana in the opening game of the tournament and then in Portugal’s second game of the tournament, he produced a Player of the Match display as he scored twice that sealed Portugal’s qualification into the next round.
A superb performance topped off with a brace. 🔥
Bruno Fernandes is your @Budweiser Player of the Match! 👏#YoursToTake #Budweiser #POTM @BudFootball pic.twitter.com/8ITF5Q2E3T
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 29, 2022
Dalot would also be a good option for Fernando Santos’s side because of his ability to get up and down the flanks, which United fans have seen this season. Having Dalot and Joao Cancelo as full-back options would be a good tactic from Santos because it allows Portugal to play on the front foot, as well as maintaining the width from wide.
Diogo Dalot’s record for Portugal:
👕 8 appearances
⚽ 2 goals
🅰️ 3 assistsProductive. 💫 pic.twitter.com/SVQ3SpP5sN
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 2, 2022
Given that this is an evening kick-off, Portugal will know who they will face in the quarter finals before their game against Switzerland because the game between Morocco and Spain kicks off at 3pm UK time.
