Look upon 'miracle' in dictionary. Well, Lichtenstein's win over Portugal would be much more than that
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 16.11.23. | 11:52
The best team in Euro 2024 Qualifiers by far meets the worst one in the most one-sided game in prospect possible
If the story of David and Goliath were a football game, then tonight's Euro 2024 Qualifiers between Lichtenstein and Portugal would definitely be the one.
The tiny European country of just 40.000 citizens with an area of just over 160 square kilometres has one of the worst national teams in Europe. They've lost all eight qualifying games, conceding 25 goals and scoring a single goal on the other end.
Well, now imagine those minnows facing Cristiano Ronaldo's gang, a jaw-dropping steamroller cruising through Group J, winning every match with a sensational goal difference of 32:2.
A brutal one in prospect.
It should be said, though, that Portugal were fortunate with a draw since they got themselves an unbalanced group packed with a few more dwarves of Lichtenstein's ilk - Luxembourg, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The only opponent worth respect and caution were Slovakia, who managed to find the back of Portugal's net in Lisbon twice for a 3-2 loss. Those two were the only goals Roberto Martinez's slot conceded for the entire qualifying campaign so far.
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Although they booked their European Championship ticket a long time ago, the Euro 2016 winners are expected to face Lichtenstein with the strongest available squad. Joao Felix and Ronaldo in the attack, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Cancelo in midfield, and Ruben Dias in defence. Fast and furious. So Lichtenstein would need much more than a miracle to survive this challenge. Goals? Expect a sky-high Portugal's xG and probably more than four in the back of Lichtenstein's net.
EURO 2024 QUALIFIERS
Thursday
20.00: (12.0) Estonia (5.60) Austria (1.27)
20.00: (40.0) Cyprus (20.0) Spain (1.03)
20.00: (3.20) Georgia (3.40) Scotland (2.25)
20.00: (7.50) Azerbaijan (4.40) Sweden (1.45)
20.00: (5.70) Bulgaria (3.60) Hungary (1.67)
22.45: (1.75) Slovakia (3.50) Iceland (5.00)
22.45: (1.35) Montenegro (5.30) Lithuania (10.5)
22.45: (2.95) Luxembourg (3.30) B&H (2.60)
22.45: (50.0) Liechtenstein (25.0) Portugal (1.01)
***odds are subject to change***
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