Rafael Leão
MIL
Bags assist
Leao assisted once to go with two shots (zero on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Thursday's 2-1 victory versus Croatia.
Analysis: Leao would come up with a huge moment for Portugal just moments after looking to have scored, but instead rattling the crossbar, as he would find new AC Milan teammate, Gonalco Ramos, in stoppage time for a game-winning goal. This is Leao's first assist of the tournament, although it comes as his second goal contribution, scoring as a substitute against Uzbekistan. That said, he also earned his first start of the tournament against Croatia, only appearing off the bench in the previous three games.
Scores goal off bench
Leao scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Tuesday's 5-0 win against Uzbekistan.
Analysis: Leao entered in the 83rd minute for Vitinha and wasted no time making an impact, bursting onto Nelson Semedo's low cross before hammering a right-footed finish into the roof of the net in the 87th minute to put the finishing touch on Portugal's five-goal demolition. His emphatic strike capped a dominant attacking display that saw Portugal fire off 17 shots and generate more than 2.4 expected goals. Leao and Portugal will now shift their focus to a decisive final group-stage showdown against Colombia with a knockout-round berth hanging in the balance.
One-game ban expected
Leao is expected to serve a one-game suspension for the friendly against Nigeria after being sent off in the first half of Portugal's friendly against Chile following a confrontation, putting him on track to be available for Portugal's World Cup opener against Congo on June 17, according to Record.
Analysis: Leao ended the Serie A season with nine goals and three assists across 29 appearances for AC Milan as the club's top scorer in the league, and Portugal will be relieved to have their most dangerous wide attacker available from the very first fixture of the tournament. FIFA is expected to follow the same approach applied to Curacao's Jurgen Locadia last week, limiting the punishment to a single match rather than the standard two-game ban for a straight red card.
Explosive threat on left wing
Leao has been named in Portugal's World Cup squad and is expected to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable attacking options at manager Martinez's disposal throughout the competition.
Analysis: Leao made 29 Serie A appearances this season for AC Milan, scoring nine goals, providing three assists and finishing as the club's top scorer in the league in a campaign that demonstrated his ability to be decisive when it matters most despite a stop-start season at club level. The winger brings blistering pace, technical flair and an increasingly reliable end product on Portugal's left flank, and his ability to cut inside or drive to the byline makes him one of the most versatile and dangerous attackers in the competition. Leao heads into the World Cup eager to prove on the biggest stage that he belongs among the elite attackers of his generation.
Will return against Cagliari
Leao cleared a one-match suspension in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Cagliari.
Analysis: Leao will be eligible to play versus Cagliari next Sunday and compete with Christian Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku and Santiago Gimenez for two spots up front. He had gotten the nod in five games in a row prior to his ban. He has fired at least one shot in his last three appearances, amassing five (one on target) and adding two key passes and three crosses (zero accurate), with no goal contributions.
Will sit out Genoa game
Leao recorded three shots (one on goal), one tackle (one won) and one cross (zero accurate) and received his fifth yellow card in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Atalanta.
Analysis: Leao took a decent number of shots, pushing his streak with at least one to three matches, but was rarely dangerous. He'll be unavailable for the next game due to yellow-card accumulation. Christopher Nkunku and Niclas Fullkrug are the next men up at the position.
Creates two chances against Juventus
Leao had one shot (zero on goal) and two chances created and drew two fouls in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Juventus.
Analysis: Leao wasn't very lively but still led his club in key passes despite the low number. He has put up at least one in three consecutive matches, totaling four, assisting once and recording nine shots (zero on target) and two crosses (one accurate) during that stretch.
Supplies assist in win
Leao assisted once to go with zero corners and one chance created in Sunday's 1-0 win against Verona.
Analysis: Leao's first half assist Sunday proved monumental as AC Milan would ease past Verona for a 1-0 road victory. The assist marked the attacker's third of the campaign and first since mid-January. Over his last five Serie A appearances (four starts), Leao has attempted 13 shots (one on goal).
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