In contrast, the Portuguese teams' success in the 2024–2025 season alone has moved them closer to England.

Benfica and FC Porto lost, Sporting de Braga drew, and Sporting and Vitória de Guimarães prevailed in this round. Portugal gained five points in European week as a result (two for each victory and one for a tie).

They were able to accrue an additional 1,000 points in the UEFA ranking by dividing these five points among the five Portuguese teams who were participating in the European tournaments. Portugal currently has 55,216 points after having 54,216 prior to this round.

In contrast, the Dutch teams achieved three victories, one tie, and one loss. While AZ Alkmaar and Ajax won in the Europa League and Twente drew, PSV won in the Champions League and Feyenoord lost.

Nevertheless, the Netherlands has amassed seven points, two from each of the three victories and one from the draw which, when split among the six teams competing in European tournaments adds 1,166 points if shared.

The Dutch's coefficient increased from 57,400 to 58,566 points.

If the difference between Portugal and the Netherlands, who are now ranked seventh in the five-year UEFA ranking since 2020–21, was 3,184 points at the beginning of this encounter, it has now grown to 3,350.

Portugal is still eligible for an additional slot in this season's rating and has even closed the gap with England, even though they let the Netherlands to increase their lead in the five-year ranking.

The English rose from 8,571 to 9,428 points, while Portugal moved from 8,200 to 9,200.

Prior to this game, the Portuguese team had 41 points, which they increased by four points from Sporting and V. Guimarães' wins and the point from Sp. Braga's tie.

In the European tournament, Portugal currently has 46 points. Portugal has 9,200 points overall in the season coefficient after dividing these 46 points by the five teams.

England's total rose by 857 points due to wins for Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool, while Portugal gained 1,000 points to this coefficient. On this European matchday, Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Arsenal all suffered defeats.

The English gained six points therefore, two for each of their three wins. This is equivalent to 857 points when split among the seven teams competing in the European tournament.

To put it briefly, Portugal now trails the English by 228 points, down from 371 at the beginning of this round.

Author

A passionate Irish journalist with a love for cycling, politics and of course Portugal especially their sausage rolls.

Rory Mc Ginn