Like a feeling of déjà vu. The French team will face Portugal Friday in the quarter-finals of the Euro. An opponent regularly encountered in the various European or international competitions. Last memorable confrontation: the final of Euro 2016, won by the Seleção (1-0) after extra time. A memory still painful in the minds of the supporters, the players and Didier Dechamps.
However, considering the history of confrontations between the two teams, the balance clearly leans in favour of the Blues. In 28 matches, France won 19 times, there were three draws and six defeats.. Enough to give hope for Friday’s match, despite the French team’s lackluster form since the start of the tournament. A look back at the most notable France-Portugal matches.
The most significant confrontations
France and Portugal have met three times during a Euro. Each time, the match ended in extra time. The result: two wins, one loss.
- Euro 1984: France 2 – 0 Portugal, semi-final
The first meeting during a Euro was during the semi-final in 1984. Les Bleus opened the score thanks to a goal from Jean-François Domergue (24th), Portugal equalized in the second half with a goal from Jordao (74th). After the start of extra time, Jordao doubled the lead (98th). Fortunately, the French did not give up and came back into the game thanks to Domergue (114th). Platini wrapped up the match in the 119th and qualified Les Bleus for the final. France subsequently won its first Euro by beating Spain (2-0).
French team, Euro 1984: Ep.4, France-Portugal (3-2) seen by JF Domergue, interview I FFF 2014
- Euro 2000: Portugal 1 – 2 France, semi-final
Sixteen years later, we take the same team and start again. Les Bleus, who had just been crowned world champions in 1998, met the Portuguese in the semi-finals of Euro 2000. The Seleçao opened the scoring with a goal from Nuno Gomes (19th minute). In the second half, Thierry Henry came back to level (52nd minute). The two teams were unable to separate themselves and extra time began. Zinédine Zidane relieved the entire country by scoring a penalty in the 117th minute, caused by a handball by defender Abel Xavier. The golden goal rule was still in force and Zizou qualified France for the final. Les Bleus then won (2-1) against Italy, after extra time, with the legendary goal from David Trézéguet in the 103rd minute. The French team won its second Euro.
OLIVIER MORIN
- 2006 World Cup: Portugal 0 – 1 France, semi-final
France and Portugal once again find themselves in a major competition, this time in the World Cup. World-class stars on each side: Ronaldo, Figo, Deco, Pauleta in the Seleçao, Zidaine, Henry, Vieira and Ribéry in the Blues. Against a dominating Portuguese side, France locks the match thanks to its legendary defensive solidity. In the 33rd minute, the referee whistles a foul on Thierry Henry in the Portuguese area. Zinédine Zidane converts it (1-0) and the Blues manage to hold this score until the final whistle. France loses in the final on penalties to Italy.
PASCAL PAVANI
- Euro 2016 : Portugal 1 – 0 France, finale
We had to wait another sixteen years for another epic France-Portugal confrontation to take place at a Euro. This time in the final of Euro 2016. And once again, the two teams would have to go into extra time to decide. Les Bleus started the match well but slowly declined as the game progressed. At the end of regulation time (0-0), the Selecao regained their strength and ended up scoring the only goal of the match (Eder, 109th). Portugal won its first continental title.
ALAIN GROSCLAUDE
- Euro 2021: Portugal 2 – 2 France, third match of group F
France and Portugal also faced each other in the group stage of Euro 2021. The two teams are opposed in the last match of Group F. Les Bleus have already secured their qualification, the Portuguese must win it. The Selcao and Les Bleus draw (2-2) with two penalties scored by Cristiano Ronaldo on one side, and two goals from Karim Benzema, including one from a penalty, on the other. France is eliminated on penalties by Switzerland in the round of 16. The same goes for Portugal, beaten (1-0) by Belgium.
