Carlo Di Benedetto, FC Porto striker, scored four goals in the French team’s 6-5 victory
• Photo: FPP
Portugal suffered its first defeat in the Nations Cup, in Montreux, when it fell in the second game of the group stage against France (5-6), a team coached by Nuno Lopes, coach of Sp. Tomar.
France took advantage of the effectiveness of set pieces. With a direct free kick, Carlo Di Benedetto, FC Porto forward, opened the scoring. Portugal responded in kind. Gonçalo scored with a direct free kick and a penalty kick.
In the 2nd half, the French equalized through Carlo Di Benedetto (LD), but Gonçalo Pinto returned the advantage. In the team’s best period, Hélder Nunes increased the result to 4-2. When it was thought that the game was well underway, France scored three times in the space of 1:15 minutes: Carlo scored a hat trick with a direct free kick, Roberto equalized and Marc Rouzé made it 5-4, but Hélder Nunes shot hard for the 5-5.
16 seconds later, Gonçalo Alves fell into the table, the referee considered it a simulation, which led to Portugal’s 15th foul and the resulting free kick. Carlo Di Benedetto deceived Girão again and sealed the Gauls’ triumph, in what was Paulo Freitas’ first defeat while serving the Seleção.
You can consult the classifications of group stage here.
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