Portugal No10 makes Confederations Cup start

13th cap for Portugal on an important night

Santos set Silva free in midfield *By Marco Monteiro with Portugal

*

Unused in Portugal’s most recent FIFA World Cup™ qualifier, and in their crucial opening match at the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017, Bernardo Silva has been bursting to play football for Portugal. Watching him in each team training session since landing in Russia, you could sense a crackling energy that was struggling to contain itself. On 21 June, on a cold and windy Moscow night against an opponent that was undefeated in the Russian capital against Portugal, the No10 was given the start he’d been eager for. "I was set free," Bernardo Silva told FIFA.com after the game. “My coach and my team trusted in me to do what I was able to do at my club (Monaco) last season, so I’m really happy to have helped and I feel good about tonight.”

Russia 0 @selecaoportugal 1

3 pontos muito importantes! Vamos 🇵🇹😃 pic.twitter.com/Qdk1Xfxz9W — Bernardo Silva (@BernardoCSilva) June 21, 2017

Bernardo seized his opportunity against Russia. Positioned on the right of midfield, he quickly set about making challenges and setting up players in central midfield before darting back to the right flank to chase down opponents or launch combination counter-attacks with right-back Cedric Soares. Almost every single Portuguese attack in the first half involved the space Bernardo was operating in. Portugal fans were delighted. The player with so much promise, so eagerly snapped up by Pep Guardiola for Manchester City, got to express himself for the national team. Asked if it felt special to start in such a big game in only his 13th cap for Portugal, Bernardo said: "Personally, I’m just really happy to be here, representing my country. But yes, it felt even better because it was a big game for Portugal. We really needed the three points and winning tonight put us in a very good position. I feel joy for the whole team and for having helped them win."

"I thank God I have a group of players willing to respond to any situation."

Santos lauds 🇵🇹Portugal #RUSPOR

➡️ https://t.co/5rCQEB2fwT pic.twitter.com/d2TZ6eEZYc — FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) June 21, 2017