​Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha have been honored for their standout World Cup performances, earning places in the Premier League XI for the group stage. Fernandes, a constant in Portugal’s campaign, operated from a playmaking role in a three-man midfield with João Neves and Vitinha, influencing games from the start against DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. His most impactful display came against Uzbekistan, a 5-0 victory that featured a Cristiano Ronaldo brace along with goals from Nuno Mendes and substitute Rafael Leao, with Fernandes providing an assist for Ronaldo’s second goal. Cunha, Brazil’s talisman alongside Vinicius Junior, started the tournament on the bench for the opener against Morocco but earned starting spots in the Haiti and Scotland matches. He struck twice in the 3-0 victory over Haiti and followed up with another excellent goal in the 3-0 win against Scotland, helping Brazil top the group.
The Premier League XI for the World Cup group stage includes Fernandes and Cunha among a lineup that also features Alisson; Daniel Muñoz; Jan Paul van Hecke; Gabriel; Maxim De Cuyper; Rodri; Bruno Guimarães; Brian Brobbey; Erling Haaland; and Cunha. The selections note Fernandes’s assist in the group stage, four chances created, five successful through-balls, and seven tackles that aided Portugal’s progress. For Cunha, it highlights his switch from bench to starter in the Haiti match and his three goals across consecutive 3-0 wins as Brazil advanced as group winners.
Brazil are set to return to action later tonight against Japan, while Fernandes and Portugal do not play again until Friday against Croatia.