Portugal lost, on Thursday night, against France (6-5), in the second round of Group A of the Montreux Tournament. After the defeat against Switzerland, Paulo Freitas renewed the starting five and bet on Girão, Rafa Costa, João Rodrigues, Xavi Cardoso and Gonçalo Alves.
Among the Gauls, the three Di Benedetto brothers – Bruno, Roberto and Carlo – were starters, in addition to Rémi Herman and goalkeeper Pedro Chambell.
In an intense match, full of fouls, Portugal was punished by João Rodrigues’ blue card, in the eighth minute. With a direct free kick, Carlo Di Benedetto opened the scoring, in what was a prolific night for the FC Porto player. Here we go.
The Portuguese response came via the stick of the inevitable Gonçalo Alves, at 12m, with a direct free kick, and at 16m, with a penalty. At this stage, the duel looked like a “squabble” between Gonçalo and Carlo, with coach Ricardo Ares watching from the sofa, certainly excited.
A night to remember
In the second minute of the second half, Carlo Di Benedetto restored equality, once again through a direct free kick.
In response, two minutes later, Gonçalo Pinto joined the scorers and made it 3-2. And then Portugal took control of the match, looking like victory was finally beginning to take shape.
Once Carlo Di Benedetto was shown the blue card at 28m, Hélder Nunes took advantage of the numerical advantage to extend the advantage at half an hour (4-2).
It was with a national team comfortable in the result that the Gauls achieved the turnaround. At the start of the last 10 minutes, Roberto Di Benedetto – this one from Benfica – scored and paved the way for Carlo Di Benedetto to score the hat-trick and Marc Rouzes to confirm the «remontada», with nine minutes remaining until the final horn.
Stunned, Portugal still responded, through Hélder Nunes, a minute later (5-5). A decisive reaction to keep the accounts open until the last minutes. And Ângelo Girão even gave encouragement to the «Quinas», when he saved a free kick from Carlo Di Benedetto, with 2:32 minutes remaining.
However, this was Carlo’s night. As such, with 16 seconds remaining, this French goalscorer punished Portugal’s 20th foul, which came from a simulation by Gonçalo Alves. From the direct free kick, Carlo made it 5-6 on the scoreboard.
Scrambled accounts
The defeat relegates Portugal to a delicate position. Even in second place – as the tiebreaker criterion is goal difference – the national team is obliged to beat Spain. France, in turn, is third, but faces Switzerland, so the Gauls will probably reach six points.
As for the national team, it is obliged to beat Spain, which remains at the top of Group A. The meeting is scheduled for 8pm this Friday.
If Portugal beats Spain, and France triumphs over Switzerland, then the tie will be broken using the goal difference between the three teams. If this aspect does not untie the knot, then the organization will resort to the goal quotient in matches between the three teams.
As a last resort, the tie will be broken by goal difference and goal quotient throughout the tournament.
Spain walks and is leader
«Our brothers» triumphed over Switzerland, 7-1. In a one-way match, Arnau Xaus took the Spanish side ahead, with two goals in the space of three minutes (8 and 11m). However, the fearless hosts responded, at 12m, through Andrin Gottwald. A reaction that promised to liven up the meeting, but which proved to be fleeting.
This is because, in the second half, César Carballeira and, once again, Arnau Xaus tried to triple the Spanish advantage, in four minutes (28 and 32m). The final lunge was started by Nil Cervera (45m), who inspired the duo of the night. If Carballeira scored with a penalty, at 49m, Xaus signed the poker in the last seconds.
A night of affirmation for the 27-year-old striker, from Calafell, who between 2018 and 2019 played for Juventude de Viana. Given the absence of Xavi Barroso and Pau Bargalló, a solution for Guillem Cabestany has been confirmed.
On the Spanish bench was Nil Roca, who has represented Benfica since 2022.
Italy and Argentina in the semi-finals
In Group B, Argentina thrashed hosts Montreux (0-6), and Italy worked hard to beat Angola, 5-3. Thus, the favorites of this group reach the semi-finals. However, to seal their positions, the Italians and Argentines will meet this Friday, at 2pm.
