Nations League: France dethrones Portugal and moves to final round | Football

sport">Shortly after the break, N’Golo Kanté scored the goal in Estadio da Luz, the stadium of Benfica. With that, Portugal was dethroned as title holder of the Nations League. The team of Cristiano Ronaldo & co won the first edition of the tournament in 2019 by beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final.

sport">Last month, the game between the world champion and the European champion in the Stade de France ended in 0-0. Both countries had all won their other matches in the group. In Lisbon, the group win and thus qualification for the final round was at stake.

sport">France had to do without Kylian Mbappé. Trainer Didier Deschamps did not want to take any risks with the attacker of Paris Saint-Germain, who was not fit enough to play after a muscle injury. Anthony Martial, who was the vanguard with Antoine Griezmann and Kingsley Coman, had the greatest opportunities in the first half. The Manchester United attacker ran into goalkeeper Rui Patricio twice and headed once on the crossbar.

Second goal for Kanté

sport">Shortly after the break, Kanté put the ‘Haantjes’ ahead with his second goal in the national team. Chelsea’s midfielder tapped in the rebound after Patricio had struggled to stop Adrien Rabiot’s shot.

sport">Led by Ronaldo, Portugal went on a hunt for the equalizer. José Fonte headed to the post and French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris tapped a shot from substitute Joao Moutinho out of the cross. Substitute Diogo Jota, who scores so easily at Liverpool, was also unable to force the equalizer.

sport">Sweden recorded the first victory in the group by beating Croatia 2-1. Both countries now have 3 points. The group will decide on Tuesday which country will be relegated to the B division. Croatia receives Portugal, Sweden visits Paris.

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