Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo's return boosts Portugal in World Cup qualifying
Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo's return boosts Portugal in World Cup qualifying

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

The European champion also had a disappointing start to its qualifying campaign as, without star player Cristiano Ronaldo, it lost 2-0 in Switzerland.

Portugal won't be too concerned though as it also lost its opening qualifier for Euro 2016 without Ronaldo, at home to Albania, and went on to win the rest of its matches—and the tournament.

Moreover, it next faces two of European football's smaller teams in the Faroe Islands and Andorra.

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"The squad is stronger because it has Cristiano, but mostly because the other players have more minutes, longer work, more training under their belts. This was one of the problems against Switzerland," coach Fernando Santos said.

This article originally appeared on

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