PORTO • For Portugal, success begets success, forging an "almost indestructible family" mentality.
So long the nearly men on the international stage, their Euro 2016 triumph - the country's first title - was a culmination of a golden period during which they have also reached the Euro 2004 final, the 2006 World Cup semi-finals and the last four at Euro 2012.
And after clinching the inaugural Nations League with a 1-0 win over the Dutch in Porto last Sunday, Portugal have every intention of continuing their winning momentum - starting with the defence of their European Championship title.
Long-serving manager Fernando Santos, who has been at the helm since 2014, said: "Sometimes, things are not perfect, but that is not for lack of effort. For the last five years, we know what we are capable of doing. We are always candidates to win the competitions we take part in."
He made two key chances for the final, introducing Danilo Pereira instead of Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves to give added protection to his team's backline, while replacing burgeoning talent Joao Felix with Goncalo Guedes.
Both moves paid off as Valencia forward Guedes scored the winner and Porto enforcer Danilo subdued Barcelona-bound Frenkie de Jong, the key midfield cog for the Dutch.
Santos said his team must not stop evolving if they are to lift more silverware. He added: "The future is here and now, right outside the door. If we look back to 2016, some of those players are no longer here - this is an ongoing process."
New blood like Benfica forward Felix - one of Europe's hottest talents - have already been given their first taste of international football while there is a talented supporting cast led by Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, who picked up the Player of the Tournament award.
Portugal's undisputed star Cristiano Ronaldo, 34, however, said he had no plans to retire as he still had the "same enthusiasm" from when he won his first cap at 18.
Despite being a peripheral presence in the final, the Juventus forward still had an impressive tournament after his hat-trick in the semi-final against Switzerland.
He told Portuguese TV channel RTP: "As long as I have the strength and motivation, I will continue to represent the colours of Portugal. When I am with the national team, I feel like at home."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Football news - Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top-flight run for 38 years. Wolves' previous top-flight campaign in 2011-12 ended with just 25 points and relegation.
Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top-flight run for 38
Atletico extend lead over Real with narrow win over Eibar AFP April 20, 2019 AFP No Comments Madrid (AFP) - Atletico Madrid needed Thomas Lemar to come off the bench and score an 85th-minute winner against Eibar on Saturday as they stretched their lead over Real Madrid to seven points in La Liga.
Atletico Extend Lead Over Real With Narrow Win Over Eibar
"But now they have beaten Pep Guardiola's Manchester City over two legs, ending any chance of a quadruple, and setting themselves up for the biggest game of their lives. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host a Champions League semi in the next couple of weeks, which is not a bad start given that it only opened its doors 14 days ago.
Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winner Karim Benzema stopped Real Madrid's underwhelming La Liga season going from bad to worse on Sunday after firing a last-minute winner
Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winner
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been fined £8,000 by the Football Association for kicking a bottle which hit a Brighton fan during last week's Premier League match between the sides.
Arsenal boss Emery fined £8,000 for kicking water bottle
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are not scared of playing the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against at the Camp Nou after drawing Barcelona on Friday.
Solskjaer: United don't fear Camp Nou test | MarketScreener
We are pleased to confirm that the Club will be holding a live screening of the UEFA Champions League Final at our new stadium on Saturday 1 June. The stadium will be open to full capacity for this event - giving as many fans as possible who are not able to get to Madrid the chance to come
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Manchester City face anxious wait on Kevin De Bruyne's injury, but Pep Guardiola expects him to miss derby clash v United Football Worrying sign for Manchester City as Kevin De Bruyne is forced
Guardiola expects De Bruyne to miss derby after limping off
enpropiapuerta.com/2019/04/21/guardiola-expects-de-bruyne-to-miss-derby-after-limping-off/
Guardiola expects De Bruyne to miss derby after limping off Since his appointment, the former Almeria and Valencia player has led the Gunners to the top four on the Premier League table as well as semifinals of the Europa League.
Pep Guardiola provides De Bruyne update ahead of Manchester derby
Cesc Fabregas has completed his move to from Chelsea to Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco, a source close to the deal confirmed to AFP on Friday. Fabregas put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal
Cesc Fabregas completes move from Chelsea to Monaco on deal
Just days after Italy saw Moise Kean become its youngest scorer in over 60 years, Sampdoria striker Fabio Quagliarella set a new mark on the other end of age range
Quagliarella becomes oldest Italy scorer | The Daily Star
Football: Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer
Manchester City's England forward Raheem Sterling has been awarded The Integrity and Impact Award at this year's BT Sport Industry Awards for speaking out on a range of social issues, including racism. Sterling was recognised for his fight against racism in the sport and for using his platform to call for more action to be taken.
Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism
"Man United, Inter, Juventus and Tottenham are clubs with strong support in the region, and we believe the fans will be happy to see them in action." AIA Group Chief Executive and President, Ng Keng Hooi, added: "AIA is proud to be the Presenting Partner of the 2019 ICC Singapore, especially during our Centennial year.
Welcome to the Official Arsenal website. Get all the latest news, match video, injury updates, TV information, player info, match stats, tickets, shirts and more
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Aston Villa will return to the top flight after a three year absence. Aston Villa held off a late fightback from Derby County to win promotion back to the Premier League with victory in the
Villa return to Premier League with win over Derby County
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