In the second round of the Algarve Cup, the Matildas will face off against host nation, Portugal.

This match sees the highest ranked team at the tournament face the lowest ranked. Both teams are coming off wins in their first group matches, with Portugal beating China PR 2-1.

Interestingly, Australia has never won a match against Portugal as the last and only meeting was back in 1999 at the Algarve Cup, which finished in a goalless draw.

Portugal has never managed to finish within the top four at the Algarve Cup with their best result being fifth in the inaugural tournament in 1994 but 2017 saw a mixed bag of results for the team.

For the first time, they qualified for the 2017 European Women’s Championships, winning against Scotland and suffering losses to both England and Spain.

In late 2017, they managed to equal their biggest win with an 8-0 thrashing of Moldova, while in January this year they beat Ireland 1-0 in a friendly.

Key Player Portugal: Claudia Neto

One player for the Matildas to keep an eye on is Portugal’s top goal scorer and captain, Claudia Neto.

Neto scored a goal at the European World Cup Qualifiers and five goals while playing friendlies in Europe.

She plays in the Damallsvenskan (Swedish Women’s Football Championship) with Linkopings FC where they have won the last two Swedish Championships and set to face Manchester City in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Women’s Championships.

Key player Australia: Clare Polkinghorne

Polkinghorne is set to play her 100th Matildas game if she gets on the field against Portugal tomorrow morning.

She is one of the most experienced defenders playing with the Matildas for the last 12 years.

Polkinghorne’s defensive skills are second to none, but she also possesses a cool head, knowing that a game is never won until it’s won.

Her early goal against Norway, and her “nudge for extra measure” on Larissa Crummer’s winning goal is a testament to her ability to make the most of every opportunity.

Where will it be won?

The current FIFA standings suggest a “David and Goliath” type match but in football anything is possible.

Australia will be favourites heading into the match but after they let Norway back into the game in the first round, they will need to ensure their defensive structure is working together.

Portugal did beat China PR in the opening round, which may have come as a surprise to some fans but China has not finished in the top four since 2010. They face one of the most feared attacks in the competition with Sam Kerr leading the charge.