Portugal 2006 World Cup Team

1966 was the year when the Portugal national football team appeared for the firs time in a FIFA World Cup competition. At that time, Eusebio's team achieved to reach semifinals and finished third in one of its most memorable performances. Portugal participated again in a World Cup in 1986 and 2002, but it was not until the World Cup's most recent edition, 2006, that Portugal was close to equal Eusebio's team achievements. With three previous appearances in FIFA World Cup and four in the European Championship, Portugal was ready to give its best in order to give Portuguese another satisfaction after 40 years.

On June 9, 2006 the 18th edition of the FIFA World Cup began in Germany. In 2002, this country won the right to host the tournament and a year later, the qualification process between 198 football associations from the six continents began. Italy won its fourth title when it defeated France in penalty shootout 5-3 after an extra time ended in a draw, 1-1. Portugal had to face the host in a difficult match for the third place that was finally won by Germany on 8 July, 3-1. The top scorer of this World Cup edition was the German Miroslav Klose with 5 goals.

The squad of Portugal was leaded by Luiz Felipe Scolari. He and his pupils: Ricardo, Paulo Ferreira, Caneira, Ricardo Costa, Fernando Meira, Costinha, Luís Figo, Petit, Pauleta, Hugo Viana, Simão Sabrosa, Quim, Miguel, Nuno Valente, Luís Boa, Ricardo Carvalho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Maniche, Tiago, Deco, Nuno Gomes, Paulo Santos, and Hélder Postiga were the responsible for represanating Portugal in this competition.