Jose Mourinho acknowledges that Spain has surprised him the most during Euro 2024, but he did have reservations about Portugal prior to the competition.
Spain won their quarterfinal match against Germany last Friday in extra time, securing a semifinal matchup against France on Tuesday.
They finished first in Group B, ahead of Italy, Croatia, and Albania. When Portugal advanced to the quarterfinals, they were ousted by France after yet another shootout.
Portugal had won Group F and had defeated Slovenia on penalties in the last 16. Portugal was one of the favorites to win Euro 2024, according to Mourinho, but their 2-1 loss to Croatia in the lead-up to the competition caused concerns.
‘I watched [Turkey] with reason and from a professional perspective. Every time Turkey won it was a problem for me, and every time Portugal won it was a joy,’ Mourinho told Sport TV on Monday.
Speaking on Portugal’s exit, Mourinho said: ‘There is always frustration when you feel that you could do better. The team’s potential was extremely high.
‘I wasn’t far off the mark when I said that Portugal, France and England were the favourites. Two of them are in the semi-finals.
‘Spain is the biggest surprise for me, in the way the team has evolved, they are practically a new team. For me, at the moment, they are the team that plays the best and the one that has played the best throughout the tournament.
Portugal made it to the quarterfinals, but they weren’t very good. We had higher expectations. It smelled bad while I was at the National Stadium for the Portugal vs. Croatia game.
I didn’t feel very good. We were the squad that was improving throughout the competition, but we lacked conviction.
These teams are frequently stronger when it matters most. Portugal did not get any better; this was not the end of them.
Aside from the two seniors, Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo, the team is youthful and has many years ahead of them. The World Cup will soon take place.