Saints Marching
Fansided

Southampton: Cedric plays full 90 as Portugal draw with Belgium

By Chris Hughes

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 21: Cedric of Portugal attempts to shoot while he is closed down by the Russia defence during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Group A match between Russia and Portugal at Spartak Stadium on June 21, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 21: Cedric of Portugal attempts to shoot while he is closed down by the Russia defence during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Group A match between Russia and Portugal at Spartak Stadium on June 21, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Last night Southampton right-back Cedric Soares played the duration for his national side as they drew with World Cup wildcard Belgium.

It may of only been a friendly, but Saints right-back Cedric went the distance as he played all 90 minutes for Portugal, suggesting he may just be first-choice in the upcoming tournament.

However much like his games domestically this season, last night’s international clash played out to a relatively boring and goalless draw.

Belgium had the best two chances of the game however, with Thomas Meunier and Yannick Carrasco both having chances either side of half time. Goncalo Guedes and Bernando Silva both had good shots for Cedric’s side, with their attempts getting blocked well just before half-time.

Belgium possess a side of excellent quality but have yet to show that properly on the pitch – their current squad has been branded as their ‘golden generation’ but they’re still not being given great odds for the World Cup. Portugal are in a similar boat though however, despite the fact they won the European Championships just two summers ago.

Next: Is this window more important than any before?

SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 08: Cedric Soares of Southampton arrives prior to the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 08: Cedric Soares of Southampton arrives prior to the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

More from Saints Marching

With Barcelona’s Nelsen Semedo not making the cut ahead of Cedric and Leicester’s new boy Ricardo Pereira, the Southampton man has the opportunity to really put his name on the map this month.

How positive that would be from a Saints perspective is yet to be seen, with the World Cup notorious for spring-boarding players to stardom and earning them moves they may not of got otherwise. James Rodriguez’s £60 million move to Real Madrid in 2014 offers a prime example.

Therefore with a good tournament as first-choice right-back could result in some European sides showing interest that hadn’t previously been linked with Southampton’s right-back.

Portugal face the small task of facing 2010 victors Spain in their group but then have games against Morocco and Iran. With no discredit to the other two sides, Cedric and co. should run away as comfortable winners in the other games and therefore qualify for the last sixteen as a result.

Between now and then though Portugual will face Algeria in a friendly at home – that one is on the 7th June.

Home/Southampton FC News