Arsenal’s Cedric Soares set up a goal for Portugal on his comeback start for his country, after more than two years away from the side.

Before this weekend, it had been a long time since Cedric Soares had last featured for Portugal. The last international break he received a call-up was November 2018, and the last time he made an appearance was a month earlier than that.

More than two years later, with Cedric starting to break into the Arsenal team and a couple of conveniently-timed injuries, the right-back found himself with a chance to work his way back into the national team setup.

The 29-year-old got a surprise Portugal call-up earlier this month, and he was named in the starting lineup to face Serbia on Saturday.

Though the match finished 2-2, Cedric will have done his chances no harm with his individual performance. He made two clearances, an interception, blocked three shots, and he set up Portugal’s second goal with a nice cross.

🇵🇹 Cedric Soares assist tonight for Diogo Jota 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Wpmaq6DGKe

— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) March 27, 2021

It’s probably fairly unlikely Cedric features in Portugal’s final match of the break, a trip away to Luxembourg on Tuesday, 30th March. After playing 90 minutes against Serbia, the Arsenal full-back will likely drop back to the bench for the next one.

But Cedric has at least given himself a glimmer of hope of a further call-up for the Euros this summer.