Jorge Braz, the national team coach, is prepared for the difficulties that Panama may face: “They have some players that we have to take care of, as they will look for instability in the game, but we have to be ourselves and face that, be more organized and patient. We do not have to impose anything, nor try to score immediately. We have to play our style with patience. [hoje] It won't be over for a long time, but I really like getting into Portugal.”

Since the last meeting between the two teams in 2016 (Portugal won 9-0 at the World Cup in Colombia), the Panamanian team has evolved a lot, says Braz. “They are more organized and play a more aware game. I remember that game well. I actually reviewed some of the moves and, in some moments, they had a little awareness in terms of organization and we took advantage of that well. I don't think it will be the same this time, it seems to me that the team has another competitive maturity.”

The selector knows his players are ready. “When we arrived in Tashkent, on the first day, after our first training on the wing, in addition to thanking everyone, we had the feeling that we had reached the point where we wanted to be to start the competition. This makes me very satisfied, happy and with a great desire to start the matches.”