Portugal have begun their challenge at Euro 2024 with captain Cristiano Ronaldo making what is surely his final appearance at a European Championship.
Ronaldo holds an incredible record of being the only male player to score at 10 successive major international competitions since making his Portugal tournament bow at Euro 2004.
However, a 20-year international career for Ronaldo includes just one European title, after clinching the trophy in Paris in 2016, and 2024 represents a final chance for the veteran striker to add to his impressive haul of medals.
Alongside the Al Nassr star, Portugal have an impressive side filled with Premier League talent, with former Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez aiming to guide them to glory in Germany.
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How did Portugal qualify for Euro 2024?
Portugal dominated Group J in qualification winning 10 games from 10 as the only Euro 2024 qualifier with a 100 per cent record. That was backed up as the highest scorers in qualification, with 36 goals, and the best defensive record, with just two conceded.
Ronaldo netted 10 goals in qualification, a tally only bettered by Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku on 14.
How many times have Portugal won the Euros?
After years of near misses, with world-class players tasting frustration on the national team stage with Portugal, the Iberians finally lifted their first-ever European Championship trophy in 2016.
As tournament hosts, Portugal lost out to Greece in the 2004 final, in their best previous showing in the competition before 2016.
However, their route to glory in Paris was not without issues, after squeezing through their group as one of the best-placed third place teams, before going on to secure tight knockout wins over Croatia, Poland and Wales.
Ronaldo’s early injury in the final against France looked to have ended Portugal’s slim chances, but a resilient showing from Fernando Santos’ side forced extra-time, as Eder Lopes came off the bench to smash home a shock winner.
Four years ago today, Portugal won Euro 2016 🇵🇹🏆 pic.twitter.com/NlIo6scyY2
— GOAL (@goal) July 10, 2020
Portugal European Championship results
Portugal have qualified for the last eight successive European Championships and have reached the knockout stages on each occasion prior to Euro 2024.
| Year | Host | Wins | Draws* | Losses | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
| 1984 | France | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 1996 | England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| 2000 | Belgium/Netherlands | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 |
| 2004 | Portugal | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 6 |
| 2008 | Austria/Switzerland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
| 2012 | Poland/Ukraine | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| 2016 | France | 3 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 5 |
| 2020 | Europe | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
| 2024 | Germany | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
*Draws include knockout-stage games decided by penalty shootouts level after 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time.
Portugal European Championship record
| Year | Host | Stage Reached | Eliminated By |
| 1960 | France | Did not qualify | — |
| 1964 | Spain | Did not qualify | — |
| 1968 | Italy | Did not qualify | — |
| 1972 | Belgium | Did not qualify | — |
| 1976 | Yugoslavia | Did not qualify | — |
| 1980 | Italy | Did not qualify | — |
| 1984 | France | Semifinal | France |
| 1988 | West Germany | Did not qualify | — |
| 1992 | Sweden | Did not qualify | — |
| 1996 | England | Quarterfinal | Czech Republic |
| 2000 | Belgium/Netherlands | Semifinal | France |
| 2004 | Portugal | Runners Up | Greece |
| 2008 | Austria/Switzerland | Quarterfinal | Germany |
| 2012 | Poland/Ukraine | Semifinal | Spain |
| 2016 | France | Champions | — |
| 2020 | Europe | Round of 16 | Belgium |
| 2024 | Germany | Round of 16* |
*Tournament ongoing
