Team Herald
PANJIM: No team would ever desire to be in a position to play the last game to earn the qualification to the next stage. And if you are defending champion of the event, that is the last thing one can expect especially when you are up against the world champions in that particular fixture.
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And that’s not exactly how Portugal wanted to go, knowing they would take on France.
Reigning champions Portugal, who started the tournament with a 3-0 win against Hungary, found themselves in a tricky situation following their defeat against Germany, a team against whom the Seleção have struggled in the major tournaments.
The defeat left them in greater need of the points going into this rematch of the 2016 Euro final, so that they don’t have to depend on the other results.
Though the Portuguese had some high profile names they simply couldn’t match the Germans. However, one name continues to impress for the Seleção and that is Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 36-year-old, who surpassed Michel Platini’s record of maximum goals in Euro, smashed in three goals already in this edition and also has an assist to his name. The veteran has showed no signs of fatigue as he still leads the team as a young 25-year-old player, who is out to prove to the world.
With France already making the knockouts phase with 4 points, they have nothing to lose. Yet Les Bleus will aim to finish the group on a high.
Germany and Portugal are locked on three points apiece but Joachim Loew’s side crucially have the head-to-head edge following a thrilling 4-2 win.
Portugal have a better goal difference than Finland and Ukraine (both of whom have played their group stage matches) and as the situation stands, Ronaldo’s men are all but qualified as one of the best-third placed teams.
In case Portugal lose to France, they will finish third. However, the Seleção should ensure that they don’t lose to France by more than a two-goal margin. In such a case, they will definitely qualify to the R16 regardless of the result of matches in Group D and E.
