They wanted to “bounce back”. It is an understatement to say that they responded present. Three days after a tasteless defeat against Finland with a team “bis” (2-0), it is a completely different team from France that we saw against Portugal, Saturday November 14 in Lisbon. Against the reigning European champions, the Blues won 1 to 0, in a match removed, on behalf of the fifth day of the League of Nations.
“Over the past few months, this is our benchmark match”, precisely analyzed Raphaël Varane after the meeting. “We saw a lot of good things. We managed to combine well, to all work together defensively. We have seen complementarity between the players. We will be able to rely on that to project ourselves towards the next deadlines. “
However, it took time for the French to take the lead in this match. With a little success, they could have found the locker room with a fairly large advantage. But when Adrien Rabiot did not frame his recovery of the head (18e minute), it was Rui Patricio who came to block in front of Anthony Martial making two magnificent parades: first by winning a face to face after a superb opening by Antoine Griezmann (12e minute), then by winning in front of the French striker, who had gone to tackle a center from Lucas Hernandez to try to push the ball into the net (41e minute). Even when beaten, the Portuguese goalkeeper could count on his crossbar to push back another opportunity from the Mancunien, receiving a beautiful French combination on a free kick (30e minute).
N’Golo Kanté delivers the Blues
Opposite, Cristiano Ronaldo tried to answer, but his first distant attempt did not worry Hugo Lloris. The second, just before half-time, thrilled the French defense who had to wait to see the ball pass over the crossbar to blow (45e minute).
“We would have deserved to lead”, regretted Didier Deschamps at half-time. ” We had four chances, the goalkeeper made two great saves. There remains a second period, we must continue what we did well and add efficiency “, predicted the French coach. But contrary to what he argued, the solution did not come from Anthony Martial, ultimately preferred to Olivier Giroud in the starting XI, but from the midfielder.
N’Golo Kanté, excellent throughout the game, took advantage of a rare hand fault from Rui Patricio on a shot from Rabiot to allow the Blues to take the advantage at the start of the second half. The first goal for the Frenchman in the blue jersey since 2016, and the first setback in more than 560 minutes for the Portuguese goalkeeper (1-0, 54e minute).
558 – Rui Patricio 🇵🇹 remains on 558 minutes without conceding a goal with the Portugal team. Shielding. https://t.co/zEWk05bbgR
“The France team is still a great team”
It was then the turn of the Portuguese to have regrets. On a header from José Fonte first, who found the post, while Hugo Lloris was beaten on a cross from the right (60e minute). Then on a powerful strike from Joao Moutinho, well served back by Cristiano Ronaldo, but on which Hugo Lloris relaxed perfectly to preserve the advantage of his family (75e minute). Finally on a new cross from the right and on which Diogo Jota and Ruben Dias were embarrassed to propel the ball into the back of the net (82e minute).
With a controlled end to the match and this victory, the Blues are three points ahead of the Portuguese and are sure to finish in first place in their group, even before facing Sweden on Tuesday for the final day. . A first place which is also synonymous with qualification for the final phase of the League of Nations in October 2021: a first for the Blues.
“We achieved our goal”, summarized a Didier Deschamps smiling at the end of the meeting. “I am very proud of the players. It is not always easy, the period is very complicated. Some have club situations which are not the best. But when they end up there, there is always that competitive spirit. And tonight, they proved that the France team is still a great team. “
