Portugal head coach Fernando Santos has decided to rotate against South Korea, meaning there is a place for Diogo Dalot in the starting line-up.
It comes as Dalot’s first start at a World Cup and his form — for club and country — warrants it. He has been in incredible form for Manchester United and has been one of the top performing right-backs in Europe this season.
Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes is named on the bench so he gets a deserved rest. He has carried Portugal through the group stages and they’ll need him fit for the knockout stages.
Only a win is enough for South Korea if they want to qualify, but they also need Uruguay to narrowly beat Ghana in the other 3pm kick-off.
Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Antonio Silva, Cancelo; Nunes, Neves, Vitinha; Joao Mario, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Horta.
Portugal bench: Rui Patricio, Ruben Dias, Guerreiro, Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Sa, William Carvalho, Rafael Leao, Gonzalo Ramos.
Portugal's starting XI for this game against South Korea has the youngest average age (27y 198d) of any Portuguese World Cup team since their 3rd/4th place playoff at the 1966 World Cup (27y 76d) – Eusébio's final World Cup appearance. pic.twitter.com/z6U8KJQ4i1
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 2, 2022
