So it is fitting that the two countries should meet at the new Wembley Stadium on Thursday 2 June just days before they start their quest for glory at the EURO 2016 finals in France.
It is ten years since the two countries last met and that was in the World Cup finals in Germany. Portugal beat England in the quarter-finals on penalties following a 0-0 draw when goalkeeping hero Ricardo saved penaltiesfrom Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, to become the first keeper to save three times in a World Cup shootout.
Ricardo, who now lives and works in the Algarve, also destroyed England’s hopes in the EURO 2004 quarter-finals shoot-out.
With a 5–5 tie he first saved the penalty of Darius Vassell after taking his gloves off, and then scored the deciding penalty to send Portugal to the semi-finals.
Portugal start their campaign when they play Iceland in Saint-Etienne on the 14 June whilst England’s opener against Russia is in Marseille on the 11 June.