Portugal start their Euro 2016 campaign in Saint-Étienne on Tuesday, with Fernando Santos’ side going up against major tournament debutants Iceland. They certainly head into this fixture as favorites, though they’ll be chastened by recent major tournament experience. At the World Cup in Brazil two years ago they lacked the requisite quality to support star man Cristiano Ronaldo, and went crashing out at the group stages at the expense of Germany and the United States.
Portugal vs. Iceland live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Euro 2016 online
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal kick off their Euro 2016 campaign against Iceland on Tuesday.
Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
That said, much has changed in the Portugal camp since that disappointment, and veteran coach Fernando Santos has brought through a number of talented young players. Though they’re still a team very much at the developmental phase, Santos has shown his ability to organize a defense in his few years in charge of the Greek national team. He’s instilled tactical discipline and defensive solidarity into this Portugal unit; and when you combine that with Ronaldo’s firepower, you get a team that’s going to be tough to beat.
However, count Iceland out at your peril. They may well be the minnows of this tournament, but they too aren't without quality. They'll be counting on a big performance from Swansea City playmaker Gylfi Sigurðsson, who was the undoubted star of their qualifying campaign. If he can find pockets of space between Portugal's defense and midfield, he's got the ability to do serious damage. This game could well be closer than you'd imagine.
To watch this match online in the Unites States, you'll be using the Watch ESPN service. For listings in the rest of the world, check out LiveSoccerTV.
TV: ESPN (US - English); ESPN Deportes (US - Spanish); TSN, RDS (Canada); BBC One (UK); RTP 1, Sport TV1 (Portugal); SíminnSport, SkjárEinn (Iceland)
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. local
Venue: Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France
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