UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying: Where to watch Portugal vs Liechtenstein live on March 23, 2023

Topics: TV Schedules, Portugal, Liechtenstein, UEFA Euro Qualifying

Cristiano and Co. return to action for the first time since their disappointing 2022 FIFA World Cup exit and will look to return to winning ways in Roberto Martinez's debut game.

Not only do Portugal kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Thursday, but the European giants also embark on their reign under newly-appointed manager Roberto Martinez. The Euro 2016 champions take on Liechtenstein in his debut game, with Ronaldo and Co. hoping to return to winning ways in Lisbon.

This is A Seleção's first game since their disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup. After a rough qualifying campaign that saw them miss out on an automatic ticket, Portugal were forced to book their spot at Qatar 2022 via the playoffs.

And in the group stage, Cristiano and Co. were unconvincing yet again but still managed to top their group before thrashing Switzerland 6-1 in the round of 16. Unfortunately, the quarterfinal against Morocco is where things went sour and where former manager Fernando Santos lost his job as the continental powerhouse lost 1-0 to the North Africans.

However, the FPF surprised everyone and garnered criticism after appointing Roberto Martinez as Santos' successor. The Spaniard endured a worse Qatar 2022 campaign with Belgium as the Red Devils crashed out of the group stage.

And given that Martinez struggled to make a lasting impression with Belgium's golden generation, questions have been raised over the decision to hand him Portugal's current crop of talented players.

Nonetheless, many of those concerns could be dispelled should he get their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign off to a brilliant start. Cristiano Ronaldo, who many thought would retire following the World Cup, has been called up and will partner the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, and Goncalo Ramos.

Liechtenstein, who are the visitors, have also endured a torrid time as of late. No team performed worse than the Western European side in the UEFA Nations League, picking up zero points and finishing bottom of their group.

In fact, the last time the Blue-Reds faced a top European nation, they ended up losing 9-0 as Germany tore them apart. Portugal currently sit ahead of Die Mannschaft in the FIFA World Ranking, which means the visitors could be in for a tougher time.

Martin Stocklasa has since left his role as the manager, with Rene Pauritsch replacing the aforementioned tactician as a caretaker for this international break. His first task will be to stop the likes of Cristiano, Felix, Bruno, and Leao while trying to score past Diogo Costa. Given that Liechtenstein have only scored four goals in their last 20 Euro qualifiers, this could be a long ask, especially with this tie taking place at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Team news

Portugal: Roberto Martinez has named a near-identical squad to the one that went to the FIFA World Cup, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who was handed a call-up despite his move to Al Nassr. However, Pepe was forced to pull out due to injury.

Liechtenstein: Yanik Frick, the son of the team's all-time top scorer Mario Frick, did not make the squad. However, Nicolas Hasler and Noah Frick, Mario's other son, have received call-ups.

Key stats

Liechtenstein have lost all of their last five games and scored only once during that run.
Portugal have scored 35 goals in their last seven encounters with Thursday's opponents.
With 196 caps to his name, Cristiano Ronaldo could become the outright player with the most international caps in history if he features on Thursday.
However, what matters most is the result and the Euro 2016 winners have won only three of their last five international games.