The predictions are rolling in for Euro 2024, and although you cannot gauge too much from the Euro 2024 qualifiers because of the level of opposition the top teams face,
Despite playing two more games with 10 as opposed to eight, you can't turn away from the fact that Portugal were by far the best goalscoring team at the Euro 2024 qualifiers, in what was a group with a few decent teams.
A perfect qualification campaign for Portugal 💯🇵🇹#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/kmXFxWgnUt— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) April 15, 2024
A perfect qualification campaign for Portugal 💯🇵🇹#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/kmXFxWgnUt
In total, the Euro 2016 winners scored 36 times, and they managed to score at least five goals in a game on three occasions in a 6-0 win over Luxembourg, a 9-0 win over them and a 5-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They also beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0, Liechtenstein 4-0 and 2-0, Iceland 2-0 and 1-0, as well as beating Slovakia 1-0 and 3-2.
The race to become the top scorer of the Euro 2024 qualifiers was a hot one. In the end, the trophy was snatched by Romelu Lukaku, who ended the campaign with 14 goals and further established himself as Belgium’s greatest-ever goalscorer.
The usual suspects such as Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane came close with nine and eight goals, respectively, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo who ran Lukaku the closest with 10. In fact, if it wasn't for Lukaku's four goals in the final game against Azerbaijan, Lukaku and Ronaldo would have been level on 10 each.
One of the main reasons behind why Portugal are being backed to win the whole thing by a few is not just because of their sensational attacking displays in the qualifiers, but also their incredible defensive displays too.
The standout player at the back for Portugal is undoubtedly Manchester City's Ruben Dias, and with Pepe still going strong at the age of 41, the Portuguese have a solid backline after the impressive season from Diogo Dalot too.
In the qualifying group of Group J, Portugal conceded just two goals from the 10 outings. They did, however, play two fewer games than those in other groups, so this has to be a factor considered as well.
In fact, stunningly, it took six games for Portugal to concede their first goal, and even better yet, both their two games came within that game when they defeated Slovakia 3-2. This also means a miraculous nine clean sheets out of 10 games.