Portugal player ratings against Spain

Another international match has unfolded, with Portugal battling to a 0-0 draw with Spain in Lisbon in a match of fine margins.

Portugal saw little of the ball in the first half, with Spain dominating in terms of both chances and possession, but Portugal came to life after the break, with three changes at half time helping Portugal become a far more cohesive unit.

But which Portuguese players stood out in this Iberian derby? And which players struggled to have the desired impact? Here are our player ratings:

Rui Patricio - 8

Can’t fault the efforts of Portugal’s number one. He missed out on Portugal’s last two games in the Nations League, but was brought back into the fold for this difficult test, and he was a consistently reliable figure between the sticks. He made many saves over the course of the game, albeit only a couple were difficult, impressive stops. Nevertheless, everything fired his way was dealt with perfectly; some of the shots could have proved awkward and could have been parried away, but he caught absolutely everything that you would expect him to with no trouble at all and was assured with the ball at his feet too. Extremely convincing, extremely solid, didn’t put a foot wrong.

Joao Cancelo - 7

A little bit of a shaky start from the Manchester City right back, though that is perhaps understandable considering his lack of game time this season. Ended up with a very solid display though, both going forwards and defending, with some great blocks and interceptions to stifle Spanish attacks and even, on occasions, helping to spring Portuguese counters. Did have some issues with the dribbling prowess of some of the Spanish attackers though, and did not have as significant an impact on the game as he did in his last two showings for Portugal, but was still a good performer.

Pepe - 9

The veteran Porto centreback was on course to get a 10, though it is difficult to justify giving such a rating to a player that only played 45 minutes. Nevertheless, a top, top performance from the experienced centre half, who consistently steps up for Portugal. Playing alongside a debutant in Ruben Semedo ensured that he had to step up even more so than he usually does, and did so to perfection with an excellent display that slowly helped Semedo ease into the game. Produced a great block to prevent a promising Spain attack early on and was incredibly dominant in the air too. He also produced three or so excellent long-range over the top passes, spraying the ball out to the left flank and finding Ronaldo with ease. Though Portugal were poor overall in the first half, Pepe stood out as the top performer, defending impeccably while also being the main source of creativity to trigger attacking moves. A leader from the back.

Ruben Semedo - 6

A solid debut for the Olympiakos man. Certainly looked a little nervous at the start of the game, particularly when he took a heavy touch before passing the ball straight to a Spain player while in his own box, which could have ended in disaster had it not been cut out by Ruben Neves. Also a little static in defending early on and failed to clear when Pepe produced a great block. But he definitely grew into the game and looked more convincing with time, and when he used his body to shield the ball in his own box before calmly playing it to Guerreiro while under pressure, you knew that he was easing into the game and looking much more comfortable. Even when his centreback partner switched from Pepe to Ruben Dias at half time, he looked very solid, particularly aerially, and overall will be pleased with how his first game for Portugal went. Likely the first of several.

Raphael Guerreiro - 7

Another good display from the Borussia Dortmund left back. What is particularly reassuring is how solid he generally looked defensively, which was the main issue for him at the 2018 World Cup. Still did get dribbled past on one or two occasions, but he was brave when defending in his own box, clearing a very dangerous ball across the face of the goal early on before heading clear later on in the first half. Also produced a great block to stop a Spain chance. Was taken off just before the 70 minute mark in place of Nelson Semedo, who was brought on to deal with the attacking prowess of Adama Traore who came on for Spain.

Ruben Neves - 7

Really good display from the Wolves defensive midfielder. Many would have understandably been hoping to see Danilo Pereira to start - who could well do so against France in the next game - but Neves was very convincing in that position, particularly in the second half. He did what everyone expects him to do with some excellent forward passes to help trigger attacking moves, but he also did the defensive side of the game very well too. Helped sweep up a dangerous Spain attack after a loose Ruben Semedo pass in the first half, while in the second, he produced the tackle that led to Renato Sanches’ very good effort that came off the bar. Produced a couple of other very good tackles too as he consistently looked to stifle Spain and win the ball back, and he worked very hard. Some of his forward-thinking passes didn’t pay off, and it did mean he did turn over possession a few times, but you want players to take those chances to spark an attacking move rather than just play it safe.

Joao Moutinho - 5

Relatively disappointing display from Moutinho, who was taken off at half time after Portugal struggled to leave a significant impression on Spain. Didn’t really do too much from open play, attacking-wise or defensively. Put in a shift and was disciplined as he always is, but the only times he really influenced the game was from deadball situations - and to be fair, from two freekicks, he delivered two very good crosses into the box, Ronaldo getting a chance to score from the first, while Ruben Semedo was the target for the second. Ultimately though, Portugal looked much better when William Carvalho came on in his place.

Renato Sanches - 7

A very lively display from Renato Sanches, who was the main player who looked to run forwards with the ball and try to make something happen, even in a first half where Portugal were uninspiring in their attacking endeavour. There was a bit of a disconnect between the midfield and attack in the opening 45 minutes, but that was not due Sanches, who was perhaps the brightest spark in an attacking sense before the break, while he also did well defensively, almost playing as a left wingback at times as he put in a shift to help limit Spain’s attacking threat. Put in a couple of very solid balls into the box, the first failed to find anyone, while the second was knocked down by Ronaldo and should have created a massive goalscoring chance, but Guerreiro’s shot flew way over the bar. Then there was his great run forwards to get on the end of Ronaldo’s delightful outside of the boot pass, but Renato’s stunning thunderbolt cracked off the bar before bouncing off the line. Incredibly good effort, and so close to breaking the deadlock.

Francisco Trincao - 6

Put in a lot of effort and tried to be the creative spark that Portugal were looking for, but it just didn’t really work out today. Like Renato he was lively and looking to get on the board, and showed some very good skill at times to try and make something happen in an attacking sense, though perhaps fell guilty of trying to do too much which meant he did lose the ball a few times. Also one moment where Andre Silva played the ball out to him and he looked like he had the chance to sprint down the line, though he ended up going backwards instead. But did provide some flair, and did well to flick Ronaldo’s knockdown into the path of Guerreiro. He’s clearly a huge talent that is going to forge a major part of Portugal’s future.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 7

This was a bit of a difficult one. The first half really was one to forget. It was very un-Ronaldo-like as he gave the ball away a couple of times by getting tackled while dribbling forwards, something that really doesn’t happen too often, though his giant leap to nod down into the box and create a major attacking opportunity was very impressive. And then in the second half, he really came to life, with William Carvalho’s addition to the game making a real difference. His effort that struck the crossbar was so close to breaking the deadlock, while his exquisite outside of the foot pass into the path of Renato Sanches created a massive goalscoring opporunity, and Renato nearly broke the deadlock. A five in the first half and a nine in the second gives a 7 overall.

Andre Silva - 4

Didn’t manage to leave any impression on the game at all. In fact, you could probably almost count on two hands the number of touches Andre Silva actually had of the ball. It wasn’t his fault in all honesty, it was just one of those games where Portugal really offered very little creativity, and his supply was very poor. He only played the opening 45 minutes, so was the victim of a poor team display, but ultimately it means that it is difficult to give him a rating higher than 4.

Substitutes:

William Carvalho - 7

No coincidence that Portugal looked much more assured and had much better control of the game after the break, with William Carvalho coming on. Very convincing display from a midfielder who has been one of the most essential players for Portugal since Fernando Santos became the head coach. Added some much needed calmness and composure in midfield, and didn’t really put a foot wrong as the Spanish player could not get the ball off him. Played the great pass into Ronaldo, which created his only big chance of the day when he struck the crossbar, and looked good in both the defensive and attacking phase. A key player for Portugal.

Ruben Dias - 7

Settled into the game immediately when brought on at half time. It was interesting to see how he would fare without the experienced Pepe next to him at the back, the Manchester City man having never played for Portugal without having one of Pepe or Jose Fonte to partner him, but he was as solid as he always is. Made a very good interception to cut out an over the top ball that would have otherwise led to a major goalscoring opportunity, while he also produced a couple of very good tackles, one to stifle a very promising Adama Traore run down the right.

Bernardo Silva - 6

Got involved a fair bit, always looking to get on the ball. His addition brought another player who was willing to carry the ball forwards and add a bit of craft and inventiveness to a side that looked very flat in the first half, and he did make a difference in turning the game into Portugal’s favour. At the same time, he didn’t quite have as big an impact on proceedings as he usually does in a Portugal shirt.

Nelson Semedo - 5

Was brought on to clearly try and combat the immense threat that Adama Traore was inevitably going to supply for Spain, though he struggled to deal with his club teammate, dribbled past a couple of times as Adama proved too much to handle. It was never going to be an easy job for Nelson though!

Joao Felix - 6

A rather brief cameo appearance for Felix which didn’t give him too much time to have an impact, but did make one very good run in the 75th minute before slotting the ball through to Trincao, though the young Barcelona star failed to get any significant power on his toe-poke in a one-on-one position. Felix also got presented with the perfect opportunity to break the deadlock right at the end, but just couldn’t quite latch onto Ruben Semedo’s header across the goal to convert from a yard out.

Diogo Jota - N/A

Was busy as he always is when he came on and showed good pressing intensity for the 10 minute cameo he was afforded.