The defenseless Ronaldo, former king of the Portuguese League of Nations | Sport

Group A3 of the 2020-2021 UEFA Nations League has seen a very intense race between Portugal and France. Before going into head-to-head in the fifth series, both teams had 10 points. That also means that the winning team will win first place and will also have a ticket to the final round (finals).

As the UEFA Nations League champion, Portugal has shown its determination in the match as the ‘final’ against France. Coach Santos has used all four brilliant shots, Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Félix and Bernardo Silva in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, France cannot use striker Kylian Mbappé due to injury.

The match was quite open because both Portugal and France wanted to win 3 points. France’s first delicious chance of the match came in the 12th minute when Griezmann punctured a delicate gap for Martial to face goalkeeper Patricio. However, the Man Utd striker was unsuccessful.

Not only damaging in attack, France also plays very tight defense in the home field. For this reason, Cris Ronaldo and his teammates were forced to take many shots from a distance, but this plan did not prove effective.

The first part was the game that dominated the French team in terms of dining opportunities. In the 30th minute, Portugal were lucky to escape when the crossbar rejected Martial’s header. Before the first half was over, the Manchester United striker missed another delicious opportunity against goalkeeper Patricio.

In the second half, Portugal started faster. But in that context, France has a main objective. Faced with Rabiot’s narrow corner kick, goalkeeper Patricio was unable to catch the ball. Immediately, N’golo Kante was kicked to open the match scoreboard.

Kante’s goal makes the game very interesting. Portugal has no choice but to accelerate the search for a tie. In the 60th minute, the home team created a great opportunity, but midfielder José Fonte’s header hit the ball off Hugo Lloris’ post.

Cristiano Ronaldo has shown great determination, but faced with the disciplined player of the French national team, the Juventus star is unable to take shots comfortably. In the 75th minute, Moutinho fired a very dangerous shot, but goalkeeper Lloris stood out to save the visitors.

The great pressure was created by Portugal at the end of the match, but on the forwards ‘awkward day, manager Fernando Santos’ team failed to score and had to accept a 0-1 defeat.

With this victory, France widened the gap with Portugal to 4 points. Because UEFA prioritizes confrontational achievements, teachers and students Didier Deschamps officially won tickets to the UEFA Nations League finals. It also means that Portugal has become the former king of this tournament.