Result: France 0-0 Portugal
Date: 11 October 2020
Venue: Stade de France
France and Portugal could not be separated as the countries played to a 0-0 draw at Stade Francais on Sunday evening.
A good spell of pressure from Portugal resulted in Bernardo Silva poking the ball through for Cristiano Ronaldo, who lined up to pull the trigger. However, French left-back Theo Hernandez did brilliantly to throw himself in the way and take the sting out of the shot.
In the 36th minute, Bruno Fernandes whipped a dangerous free-kick into the box from the right flank. The outstretched Felix got his foot to the ball, but was unable to turn it towards goal. Ronaldo was incensed as had Felix let the ball run, he could have had a tap-in.
Opportunities had been few and far between in the first half, but the ball broke kindly for Olivier Giroud in the box. The Chelsea striker reacted quickly to get his shot away, but was unable to keep it down.
Five minutes after the interval, Ronaldo peeled away at the far post to meet a deep cross into the box, but he was unable to turn the ball towards goal with his outstretched leg.
Portugal thought they had taken the lead in the 73rd minute when Pepe ghosted in at the far post to meet a deep free-kick into the box and head past Lloris. However, he began his run too early and was rightly flagged offside.
France turned to the bench, with Anthony Martial replacing Giroud. Meanwhile, Portugal introduced new Liverpool signing Diogo Jota in place of Silva.
In the 76th minute, some space opened for Pogba to let fly from distance. There was plenty of venom in his drilled effort, but Rui Patricio did well to gather.
Les Bleus goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made sure the world champions came away with a point after denying Ronaldo with a brilliant save in the closing stages.
