Roberto Martínez issues warning and ambition just days before the 2026 World Cup: “The most important thing is to win, but with the talent we have, playing well increases the chances of victory.”
The National Team is preparing for the decisive clash on Saturday at 18:45 against Chile, in a friendly match that promises to be a tough test for Portugal ahead of the 2026 World Cup. In the overwhelming words of coach Roberto Martínez, victory remains the primary goal, but the spectacle and quality of play gain strategic importance: “It’s a difficult question. What’s important is to win. But with the talent we have, if we play well, we have more options to win. There are opponents, decisions during the game, but what we can control and focus on is playing well. It’s easier to focus on that. Wanting to win is universal; what does that mean? It’s maintaining possession, reacting quickly, scoring goals… All of that helps. I would sign for that already.”
Portugal’s preparation is not without its uncertainties. Matheus Nunes, still recovering, is out of the squad for this match, while João Félix remains a doubt, but with good prospects: “In football, nothing is certain, we work expecting the unexpected. For tomorrow, Matheus Nunes will be out of the list, we hope he is well with Nigeria. João Félix will train and we will make a decision after the training. It’s a different situation, I feel it is positive and he will play tomorrow.”
Martínez also reveals his analysis of the opponents and the context of the tournament: “No. I love watching football and following many teams, but right now just our opponents. Colombia has a clarity in what they do, they play very well. The DR Congo uses tactical flexibility, with a five-man defense. Uzbekistan works very well on the defensive game and is very competitive. Tomorrow’s game will be important for the individual duels and to play in front of our fans, which is part of the preparation.”
In the context of the World Cup, the Spanish coach keeps his feet firmly on the ground but does not hide his ambitious dream of going far: “With all the humility in the world, Portugal only has three games. I would love to reach eight. We will try to win all three, grow, have the best possible level, and then we are open to everything.”
Portugal thus enters a decisive phase, with a clear focus on football excellence as the path to triumphs. The test against Chile will be a litmus test to confirm whether the team is prepared for the greater challenge ahead. Fans are eagerly awaiting a performance that combines talent, strategy, and, above all, victories.
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