Roberto Martinez appointed as Portugal’s national football team coach
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced on Monday Roberto Martinez as the new national football team coach until the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Belgium have been handed a major injury blow on the eve of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group G clash with England, with manager Roberto Martinez confirming that Romelu Lukaku will not be fit in time to face the Three Lions on Thursday.
“There is no further damage for Romelu Lukaku,” Martinez told his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
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The burly forward, tied-second with Cristiano Ronaldo on four strikes in the Golden Boot race, injured his ankle during his nation’s big win over Tunisia on the weekend.
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Only England frontman Harry Kane (5) has scored more than the aforementioned duo at the quadrennial tournament.
Unconfirmed reports were doing the rounds that he had damaged his ligaments and might be out of the tournament, but his manager was confident that the Lukaku, who plays for Premier League giants Manchester United, would be fit in time for the knockouts.
“A scan brought us good news. He is still recovering and tomorrow is one day to early for him. But I don’t think it is going to take any longer than that,” the Belgian national side’s manager added.
In Lukaku’s stead, Michy Batshuayi is expected to lead the line.
Martinez could also employ a false-nine formation too, with skipper Eden Hazard then starting at the apex.
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There was some good news for the Belgian Red Devils though as Martinez revealed custodian Thibaut Courtois would start against England after shrugging off a minor injury.
Both Belgium and England have maximum points after two games in Group G and are already assured of a spot in the last-16.
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Their clash will decide who tops their group though and neither team is expected to settle for even a draw at the Kaliningrad Stadium on Thursday.
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