N’GOLO Kante proved to be the unlikely matchwinner as the world champions defeated the European champions at the Estadio da Luz.
The Chelsea midfielder bagged only his second ever international goal for Les Bleus – tapping the ball home after Portuguese shotstopper Rui Patricio parried a Adrien Rabiot shot.
N’Golo Kante is surrounded by his team mates after scoring France’s winnerCredit: AP:Associated Press
It was the least that Didier Deschamps’ men deserved, after dominating proceedings in Lisbon.
And had Patricio been in less inspired form, the scoreline could have been more.
It was Portugal, though, who had the first effort at goal. Five minutes in, Cristiano Ronaldo flexed his muscles – testing keeper Hugo Lloris from 20-yards, after dancing past two French defenders.
But the Spurs stopper was equal to it, getting down low to his left-hand side to tip the ball wide.
In the 11th minute, a brilliant pass from Paul Pogba released Antoine Griezmann, who played Anthony Martial in on the left of the box. But Patricio was equal to his poorly executed lofted effort.
Patricio was the hero again in the 40th minute, again denying the dangerous Martial.
Rui Patricio was in inspired form keeping out Anthony Martial time and time againCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Griezmann managed to wriggle into space between the Portuguese back four and slipped in left back Lucas Hernandez to square it to the Manchester United forward in front of goal.
However, as Martial lunged for the ball Patricio bravely got down to block it to keep his side level at halftime.
In the second half, Portugal introduced in-form Liverpool striker Diogo Jota to proceedings.
And almost immediately, they looked more threatening. In the 59th minute, a downward header from Jose Fonte clipped the woodwork.
With 16 minutes to go, Lloris was called into action again – leaping to his right to stop a ferocious effort by Joao Moutinho, following clever play by Ronaldo, who had earlier bamboozled four French defenders with his footwork before teeing up Moutinho.
Portugal continued to rally, and in the 82nd minute a brilliant cross from Man City right back Joao Cancelo was just inches away from Ronaldo’s head and Jota’s left foot at the far post.
It wasn’t Cristiano Ronaldo’s night as Portugal fell to defeat to FranceCredit: AP:Associated Press
The Portuguese had a late penalty shout when Francisco Trincao was caught on the byline of the French box by Hernandez.
Instead of going to ground, Trincao managed to get his shot away which didn’t trouble Lloris.
But in the end, Portugal ran out of steam and France held on for the victory that sees them top the Nations League table.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
