France 0 Portugal 1(Eder 109)
It was always possible.
This result was always possible.
Portugal played better after Ronaldo went off.
Didier Deschamps used Pogba as a defensive half-back.
BONKERS! That selection was idiotic, paranoid and self-defeating
Portugal know how to stay in a game, know how to not lose, as I warned on Sunday morning, after saying the same before their semi-final against Wales.
(Full report on Monday morning)
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My ANR preview included these 2 pars:
I can’t see a walkover with Pepe fit and restored at centreback. But France are very athletic and strong and new centreback Umtiti already looks more reliable than Rami or Sakho. As in the Germany game, France will take a while to sort themselves out. I doubt if they’ll click immediately and score early.
Portugal will really make a game of it tonight. They haven’t lost since they’ve been coached by Fernando Santos: 13 games, 9 wins and 4 draws and they’re so clever tactically, so good at staying in the game, that this one could go to extra-time.