Euro 2020: Group F – Portugal vs France

Portugal meet Group F leaders, France at Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary in their final group clash of Euro 2020.

Portugal must win to secure their passage although a point could be enough for entry to the knockouts depending on the third-placed maths pre kick-off, whereas France are already through but can win the group with victory here although a point would be enough if Germany fail to beat Hungary.

 

Team News

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Nuno Mendes is ruled out for Portugal after failing to shake off a muscle injury which kept him out of Saturday’s loss to Germany.

Joao Felix is also absent with a hamstring injury which kept him out at the weekend as Fernando Santos looks to rotate his squad.

France will be without Ousmane Dembele after the striker suffered a serious knee injury which has forced him to withdraw from the squad for rest of this tournament.

Didier Deschamps otherwise has no other injury concerns to report.

 

Stat Attack

• Portugal have won just one of their three previous meetings against France at the Euros (W1, L2), although they coincidentally lost their first Euro clash on same date of 23 June, 3-2 in 1984.
• France have lost just one of five previous competitive clashes against Portugal in all competitions (W4, D1, L1), with their only defeat coming in Euro 2016 Final after extra time.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored five goals in four of his last five appearances for Portugal.
• Three of Antoine Griezmann’s five goals for France in 2021 have come after half-time.
• Portugal haven’t conceded at least four goals in consecutive matches since 1983 when they lost 5-0 to Soviet Union then 4-0 to Brazil.

 

Prediction

After a disastrous defensive display on Saturday, Portugal need a huge performance if they’re to advance as one of the two best Group F teams, otherwise they could be out if Hungary beat Germany so they cannot afford another lazy effort in defence.

France meanwhile will be slightly disappointed with how they played against Hungary because the Hungarians were able to contain the world champions with confidence for most of the match, which will be a slight worry tactics wide for Deschamps.

This game therefore feels like it will be a match about reactions to surprise results and I just feel that France will have the edge with their attack against a shaky Portugese defence, which could well make the difference here.

Prediction: Portugal 0-1 France

Result: Portugal 2-2 France