Internationals | Sa earns third cap as Portugal top group

20th November 2024

Jose Sa’s return to the Portugal squad this month saw the Wolves goalkeeper pick up his third cap as the stopper starred in his country’s Nations League clash with Croatia.

Sa had been left out of Portugal’s squad for their October internationals, but after being brought back into the group by boss Roberto Martinez, he was in from the start for the final Nations League group match on Monday evening.

Starting alongside Nelson Semedo, who was in his familiar right wing-back position, Sa produced an excellent display in the 1-1 draw out in Split, which saw Portugal finish in top spot in Group 1 and a place in the quarter-finals.

The game also saw Wolves striker Fabio Silva, who is currently away from Molineux on loan at La Liga outfit Las Palmas, earn his debut senior cap after being promoted from the Portugal under-21s midway through this international period.

In the absence of Silva, it was another Wolves forward, Carlos Forbs, who set the under-21s on their way to victory over Slovakia earlier on Tuesday, as the winger came on at half-time to get Portugal level with his second goal at under-21 level.

Portugal also brought Rodrigo Gomes off the bench midway through the second half to play on the left wing as the side fought back after the break to claim a 3-1 friendly win.

The only current member of Gary O’Neil’s first-team squad who took to the field on Tuesday was Andre, who returned from a knock which kept him out of Brazil’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Venezuela to come off the bench late on at home to Uruguay – who were missing Santiago Bueno after the Wolves defender returned to Compton Park earlier in the week.

Coming on in with five minutes left in place of Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes, the Wolves midfielder was unable to help Brazil get the victory they craved, with the game ending in another 1-1 tie.

The result leaves Brazil fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying – in which the top six are guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup – while Uruguay are up in second place behind group leaders Argentina.

Having already booked their place at next winter’s AFCON last week, Gabon gave captain Mario Lemina a rest for their final group game over the Central African Republic.

Lemina will join Rayan Ait-Nouri and Algeria at the competition – which takes place in December 2025 and January 2026 – after Gabon ran out 1-0 winners in South Africa, meaning they finish runners up in qualifying Group B behind Morocco.

While back in Europe, Tom King was an unused substitute for Wales as his country claimed a vital 4-1 win over Iceland in Nations League B Group 4 on Tuesday night.

The result earned Wales promotion back into League A for the 2026/27 edition of the competition at the expense of Turkey, who lost their final group game to Montenegro.