Carlo’s effectiveness dictates France’s triumph over Portugal

At the end of the 2nd round of the Nations Cup group stage, France beat Portugal 6-5, with Carlo Di Benedetto’s effectiveness being decisive. Porto’s French striker scored four goals in five free-kick opportunities.

France beat Portugal 6-5 in the Livramento Group and enters the discussion to qualify for the semi-finals. This Friday, at the end of the group stage, Portugal will face Spain with the result of France against Switzerland already known. If the Gauls confirm their favoritism, the team from the corners will have to beat their eternal rival with goals to be scored.

The second day of the Nations Cup closed with a duel that is already big in the sport, between France and Portugal. Or there weren’t eight players from the two starting fives in the Placard Championship. Only the Portuguese Pedro Chambel (Saint-Omer) and João Rodrigues (Barcelona) do not compete for the so-called “best championship in the world”.

Paulo Freitas made three changes compared to the five that started against Switzerland, with Ângelo Girão, Gonçalo Alves and João Rodrigues joining the “repeats” Xavi Cardoso and Rafa. But France came in better.

Pressuring, imposing their physicality, the French quickly recovered the ball and put Girão to the test. In the seventh minute, João Rodrigues saw the blue in a block on Bruno Di Benedetto and his brother Carlo did “justice” with a direct free kick, making it 1-0.

Despite the goal, the Gallic pressure continued, but another Blue, Remi Herman, took Gonçalo Alves to the free-kick and the usual goal-scoring man for the corner team didn’t forgive, turning the game around.

The French team, with less rotation, claimed equality and the passage of minutes of high intensity and, after 15 minutes, they would be at a disadvantage, again with a dead ball, again with a goal from Gonçalo Alves, now jumping from the bench to take a big penalty won by João Souto. Pedro Chambel still saved the first shot, but Gonçalo remained cool for the reload.

Portugal gained momentum and came close to extending the advantage several times. In France, Nathan Gefflot entered the rotation and allowed his teammates minutes of rest for an open end to the first half, with quick attacks from both sides. But no goals.

In the second half, Portugal’s 10th foul fell with one minute completed, and Carlo Di Benedetto beat Girão again for another equalizer. However, almost immediately, Gonçalo Pinto was the quickest in the French area and put Paulo Freitas’ team ahead again. And, soon after, there was the 9th Gallic foul. And the 10th.

Gonçalo Alves was called upon to try once again to beat Chambel, but Nuno Lopes launched Audelin and, perhaps surprisingly, the Portuguese “killer” shot wide. But, on the other side, Carlo Di Benedetto was warned for the second time, this time for simulation, and there was a blue and another direct free kick. This time, Hélder advanced and Pedro was in goal. It went well for “les bleus”… for moments. In the powerplay, Hélder Nunes redeemed himself and made it 2-4.

Portugal was on top, sustaining the Gallic attempt at a response. But, 10 minutes from the end, Roberto Di Benedetto, in the front zone, where he had already rehearsed several times, made it 3-4. Then, Portugal reached the 15th foul and Carlo, for the third time, won the duel against Girão for an equality that many would no longer expect. And, in the same minute, young Marc Rouze made it 5-4, with the Portuguese players claiming a goal with their skate.

The game was exciting.

Perhaps too much for the coaches’ taste, with a lot of anarchy in possession of the ball, more heart than head. It worked for Hélder Nunes, who recovered in the French half and beat Chambel for 5-5 with a strong shot.

Portugal assumed an offensive dynamic that had been lacking in recent commitments, even without Gonçalo Alves. But both teams were adding up fouls and everything was heading towards a dead ball decision.

Two and a half minutes from the end, Gonçalo Pinto saw blue for a foul on Roberto Di Benedetto, his Benfica colleague. In the fourth duel, Girão won against Carlo. Soon after, the 19th Portuguese foul fell. And, in the Gallic powerplay, the 14th for Nuno Lopes’ team.

The Portuguese underplay ended with 30 seconds to go. Gonçalo Alves entered and fell in a dispute with fellow dragon Carlo near the table and a foul was called. By simulation of Portuguese. Carlo would score the fourth goal from a direct free kick for the final 6-5, although Paulo Freitas risked the score five to four.