At Estádio do Dragão, a draw is enough for Portugal to secure passage to the next stage, although a defeat can also serve, as long as it is only due to a one-goal deficit.
Even with this scenario, which would be the first setback at this stage, it is certain that Portugal will finish the group in second place at worst, thus also guaranteeing the “fourths”.
In case of victory, group leadership, and seed status in the draw, is certain. but only if Croatia don't win at the same time in Scotland. If the team from the corners draws, first place for the Brazilian side will only be assured with a triumph for the British at Hampden Park, in Glasgow.
Portugal is looking for its second presence in the knockout phase of the Nations League, which will have a quarter-final for the first time (previously it went directly to a “final four”), after the success in 2018/19, the first edition, which ended with a Portuguese achievement.
Rúben Dias, until now a total player in the group stage and the player with the most minutes since Martínez took over the team at the beginning of 2023, will miss the duel with the Poles, as will Gonçalo Inácio, Rúben Neves, Matheus Nunes, Pedro Gonçalves, Diogo Jota and, more recently João Palhinha, all due to injuries.
Rúben Dias is a real absence for Portugal, but the same scenario happens in Poland, still with mathematical possibilities of reaching the “quarters”, with the captain and star Robert Lewandowski also out, and equally because of physical problems.
At Dragão, central defenders Tomás Araújo and Tiago Djaló and full-back Nuno Tavares will be able to earn their first cap for the main Portuguese team.
Portugal-Poland will be the fifth played on Portuguese soil for an official competition and only once has the team from the corners achieved victory (2-1), in 1982, in qualifying for Euro1984.
The meeting is scheduled for 7:45 pm and will be refereed by Lithuanian Donatas Rumsas.
Portugal leads Group A1, with 10 points, three more than Croatia (seven), with both teams followed by Poland, with four, and Scotland, with one.
