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France beat Lisbon 1-0 in Group A of League A in the Nations League on Saturday night. The only goal of the match was scored by Angolo Kante.
At this rate, Portugal withdrew from the fight to retain the title. France secured the top spot in the group and advanced to the final.
France has 13 points from four wins and a draw from five games. Portugal with 10 points. Although the two teams’ points are even, Didiye Desam’s team will be on top as they are ahead in the head-to-head battle.
In the first four rounds, the teams that have won three and drawn one have been excited from the start. Desperate to get back to parity in the end, Portugal made a total of 16 shots on goal, six of which came on goal. But the last champion did not see the net due to the great skill of Ugo Loris and the determination of the defenders at the bottom of the stick. Seven of the 13 shots from the attacking French were on target.
In the sixth minute of the game, Ronaldo put the goalkeeper to the test with a sudden shot from outside the area. Loris jumped to the left and turned easily.
France created two good chances in two minutes. The Portuguese goalkeeper rejected them twice. In the eleventh minute, Patricio blocked Anthony Marseille’s shot with a forward kick after a powerful shot from Kingsley Koman was returned for a corner.
France were unable to move forward in the 30th minute. Adrien Rabio’s rise from the penalty spot was blocked by Marseille’s head crossbar from the goal. In the 41st minute, the visitors missed another great opportunity. Patricio blocked Marcel’s sliding shot just outside the six-yard box.
Portugal also had a great opportunity to advance just before the break. But Ronaldo’s powerful shot bounced off the crossbar.
Portugal lagged behind, forgetting Patricio, who kept the net intact in the first half. There was no threat in the shot from the left side of Rabio. But the Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper, who got confused while catching the ball, fumbled into goal and sent it to Toka.
Portugal, champions of the European Championship and the Nations League, digested the goal after five games.
Loris blocked a powerful shot by Rafael Guerrero from about 35 meters in the 70th minute. Shortly after, the hosts did not return to parity when José Fonte hit the post with his head.
Loris put Portugal aside again in the 85th minute. After Ronaldo’s catback, the goalkeeper blocked Joao Moutinho’s quick shot. The rest of the time the team attacks in the same way; But there was no success.
Portugal will play Croatia in the last round of the group stage on Tuesday. France, the last runner-up in the European Championship, will play at home against Sweden.
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