The chronicle of France-Portugal, 6-5: Team at risk in Montreux – Roller Hockey

Portugal without antidote for Carlo Di Benedetto’s effectiveness

As in so many other games, set pieces were decisive and in this chapter he shone… Carlo Di Benedetto, with four goals from a direct free kick (LD). The striker opened the scoring, but Gonçalo Alves gave Portugal the lead at the break by scoring from LD and following up with a penalty.

In the 2nd half, Carlo equalized again from LD, punishing the team’s 10th foul. In the best moment of Paulo Freitas’ team, Gonçalo Pinto and Hélder Nunes increased the score to 4-2. The disaster came 10 minutes from the end: in the space of 1:15 minutes, Carlo scored a hat trick with a free kick, Roberto Di Benedetto equalized and Marc Rouzé made it 5-4. Hélder reacted shortly afterwards with a strong frontal shot, but victory smiled at the Gauls. 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.

“At this level we cannot lack competitive maturity”, said Paulo Freitas after his second game as national coach. Portugal faces Spain this Friday (8pm) and is obliged to win, as France must confirm its favoritism against Switzerland.

By Rafael Godinho