Portugal vs France preview: All eyes on blockbuster clash in group of death

Group F: Portugal vs France, kick-off 8pm (UK time, BBC)

European champions Portugal meet world champions France in the 'group of death' with everything still up for grabs.

Portugal are well positioned to make the knockout rounds, only needing to avoid defeat to France by more than three goals, or if a draw or defeat is partnered with Hungary stunning Germany.

Didier Deschamps’ side, meanwhile, are still unbeaten in the competition and sit top of the Group F standings.

However, they must beat Portugal in order to ensure progress to the knockouts as group winners.

Story so far

Portugal’s Euros got off to an emphatic start as they beat Hungary 3-0.

That result marked a stark difference to the 2016 edition of the competition, in which Fernando Santos’ side famously failed to win any of their group games — yet still went on to win the championships.

The Selecao failed to build on that positive result in their second game however as they were trounced 4-2 by Germany.

France faced Portugal’s tormentors in their opening match but came out on top — edging out the Germans 1-0.

Yet in Les Bleus' second group game, they were frustrated by perceived whipping boys Hungary.

Deschamps’ side could only muster a 1-1 draw in Budapest, and did not deserve much more from a contest they lacked creativity in throughout.

Bruno — big game player?

The attacking talent at Fernando Santos’ disposal is enough to turn any national manager green with envy.

A player who has been a mainstay in his side since 2017 is Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

With a record of a goal every other game for the Red Devils, Fernandes is capable of changing a match single-handedly.

But the midfielder is yet to score in these Euros. What's more, Fernandes was something of a passenger in the 4-2 defeat to Germany, failing to record a single shot or successful dribble.

Deployed in a deeper role for his country than for his club, perhaps it’s time Santos took a leaf out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s book when it comes to getting the best from Bruno.

Benzema bonanza

Karim Benzema’s long sabbatical away from the French national team came to an end this summer, meaning France possess the mouth-watering front three of Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

However, the trio are yet to really get going at this European Championship.

With just one goal between them, Les Bleus’ front three has failed to deliver the va-va-voom football it promised.

However, Griezmann believes that things will soon improve for his counterpart Benzema.

He said: “He helps us a lot and as soon as he scores everything will be better.”

And what better time for the Real Madrid striker to do so than against a Portugal side led by former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo?

Semedo critics

Nelson Semedo had a torrid time on Saturday afternoon during the Selecao’s loss to Germany.

The Wolves defender had his work cut out as a swarm of German attacks came down his flank.

The right-back lost possession nine times in the match and made just a single interception — two fewer than goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

Semedo’s performance has come in for extreme criticism from the Portuguese press, but Santos has limited options in that position following Joao Cancelo’s positive test for COVID-19.

With that in mind, Semedo will surely be seeking a more assured performance against France to win over the skeptical Selecao fanbase.

Dembele injury

Ousmane Dembele’s introduction against Hungary changed the game.

The ambidextrous forward showed no fear with his penetrating runs towards Peter Gulacsi’s goal.

The Barcelona winger made 11 carries of at least 5m — only three players managed more — as well as attempting 10 passes into the final third.

It was an impressive contribution given that he was only on the pitch for just over 30 minutes. Unfortunately, Dembele was forced off in the 87th minute after picking up a knee injury.

It was later revealed that the injury is more serious than first thought, ruling Dembele out of the rest of the European Championship.

France coach Deschamps will now have to go back to the drawing board to find a way of injecting life into his side's unusually quiet forward ranks.