England v Portugal

Quarter-final
Gelsenkirchen
Saturday, 1 July
Kick-off: 1600 BST

England defender Gary Neville says he is fit and available to play in the quarter-final clash with Portugal after recovering from a calf injury.

The 31-year-old has not featured since England's opener against Paraguay.

Portugal will miss Costinha and Deco on Saturday after they were sent off against Holland in the second round.

Armando Petit is likely to come in for Costinha, Tiago may take over from Deco, while Cristiano Ronaldo is confident of shaking off his injury.

The return of Neville, who suffered the setback a fortnight ago in the final training session before the group match with Trinidad and Tobago, would be a timely boost for England.

He first resumed training on Wednesday, and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will ensure he has not suffered any reaction before including him in the starting line-up.

"I've trained and I'm available for selection," said Neville.

"I've got no problems with the calf. The manager will make his decision - whatever he decides I will go along with."

Eriksson had the luxury on Thursday of all 22 remaining members of his squad being put through their paces.

Head-to-heads

England and Portugal have met 21 times. Overall, England have an overwhelming edge, having won nine and drawn nine, whilst losing only three times. In competitive matches, the sides are evenly matched at two victories apiece, whilst recording four stalemates.

These nations have each recorded a victory over the other at the World Cup. In 1966, hosts England defeated Portugal 2-1 in the semi-finals. 20 years later, the Iberians vindicated the defeat by beating England 1-0 in the group phase.

Their last meeting came in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004. Portugal triumphed after a tense penalty shoot-out that saw Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo slot home the winning spot kick.

Team facts - England

The 1966 World champions have only been eliminated in the knock out stages by former World champions.

England are unbeaten since losing to Northern Ireland in September 2005.

Team facts - Portugal

Portugal have reached the quarter-finals for the second time and the first time in 40 years. Their best World Cup was their debut appearance in 1966 when they finished third. They have never drawn a World Cup clash (16 matches).

Portugal have extended their unbeaten streak in competitive matches to 16 since losing the Euro 2004 final 1-0 to Greece. They qualified for this match by defeating Holland 1-0 in a second round match featuring 16 cards, which equals a World Cup record. The four players sent off represent a new World Cup record.

Player facts - England
Paul Robinson, Jamie Carragher and John Terry cannot afford another yellow if they are to avoid being suspended.

England have not lost a match with Peter Crouch on the pitch (won nine and drawn one in which Crouch has scored six times). Theo Walcott will become the second youngest player ever at a World Cup at 17 years and 107 days old if he takes the field - only 66 days older than all-time record holder Norman Whiteside. If Walcott nets, he will be the youngest ever goalscorer, beating Pele's record of 17 years and 239 days. David Beckham is the most capped player in England's squad with 93 caps. He is now fifth on England's all-time list, and also the only English player to have scored in three different World Cups.

Player facts - Portugal

Costinha and Deco are suspended for this match after having been sent off against Holland. Petit, Maniche, Nuno Valente, Ricardo and Luis Figo cannot afford another caution, having each been booked against Holland.

Cristiano Ronaldo became Portugal's youngest goalscorer at the World Cup by converting a penalty against Iran. Petit, Luis Figo, Pauleta and Nuno Gomes have become the first Portuguese players ever to play at two World Cups. Figo is Portugal's most capped player, having represented his country 124 times.

Miscellaneous Info
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has won every match he has been in charge of at the World Cup. After seven victories with Brazil in 2002, his Portuguese team have won four out of four so far. England have been knocked out of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 by a side led by Scolari, who's attempting to become the first coach to win the World Cup with two different nations.

Several teammates will be running into each other. Chelsea employees John Terry, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole may face Portuguese players Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho and Maniche, while Manchester United's Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney may confront Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

Neville is playing poorly lately and he will be a handicap in my opinion.
If and its a big if that Rooney hits form then England will win, but if Rooney is off then Portugal are through!

 

Portugal hopefully

 

Like Hubert said I really also believe that Rooney will be the things that seperate the two teams. If he is on form England could have the extra edge which would give them a good chance of winning, however without Rooney then I believe they're as good as out.

 

Hopefully Portugal will win but if they dont then Brazil will be waiting Game over me thinks !!

 

england are dodgey at the back and could easy leak a couple of goals,but portugal have deco and costinha which is a big miss.but if portugal keep england on the back foot i see the pork and cheese going through

 

Been supporting Portugal from the start and it will be extra special if they put out England C'mon Portugal. 3-1 Portugal.

 

england 0-2 portugal

 

I have Portugal on each way for the Tourny.

They will have too much for England.

 

2-1 England

 

Fingers crossed for portugal, even with the suspensions i think they'll be too strong. C,mon Portugal.

 

1-0 Gerrard

 

Scolari to make it 3 tourneys in a row. He's got Englands number!

 

England

01 P Robinson
02 G Neville
06 J Terry
05 R Ferdinand
03 A Cole
16 O Hargreaves
07 D Beckham
04 S Gerrard
08 F Lampard
11 J Cole
09 W Rooney


Portugal

01 A Ricardo
13 L Miguel
05 F Meira
16 A Ricardo Carvalho
14 J Nuno Valente
07 L Figo
18 N Maniche
08 A Petit
19 C Tiago
17 C Ronaldo
09 P Pauleta

 

Rooneys been sent off!!

 

Me too

 

Penalties now.

 

hes off

 

u changed that liamo lol

 

Yeah i know haha i thought about what i had typed then noticed beckhams off LOL