The Euro 2020 group stage ends today with Groups E and F both coming to a conclusion with plenty still in the balance.
Portugal and France meet in a mouth-watering clash at the Puskás Aréna (Budapest) with both teams needing a win to get back on track.
There is a three-way battle for the top two places in the star-studded Group F between the Portuguese, the French – the current group leaders – and Germany.
None of those three teams is guaranteed a top-two finish although a draw would be enough to secure it for France.
But, in fact, it is still likely that the side which places third in this group will still progress as one of the best finishers in that position.
However, it certainly remains true that an awful lot is riding on the clash between the reigning European champions Portugal and the World Cup holders France in Budapest.
The game is a repeat of the 2016 final when Portugal beat France 1-0 after extra-time in Paris.
This time, France must bounce back after being held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Hungary in its second game.
One man with nothing left to prove is Cristiano Ronaldo, though the 36-year-old has never before scored against France. He is now just two goals shy of Ali Daei’s 109-goal all-time international record, so it would be some time to end that drought.
Les Bleus are through, but don’t expect them to take their foot off the gas. Jules Koundé, Lucas Hernández and Corentin Tolisso could all come into Didier Deschamps’ team as they seek to regain any momentum lost following their draw with Hungary.
France are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 encounters with Portugal; the only blot on that record is their defeat in the EURO 2016 final.
Meanwhile, Germany will be playing Hungary in Munich in the other Group F match.
The absence of Thomas Müller with a knee problem is a blow, but Leon Goretzka is back up to full fitness and there are several other attacking players eager for the chance to impress.
Germany have kept only three clean sheets in their last 16 matches and although they will continue to take risks, being careful not to be caught on the counterattack is likely to be high on the agenda with a draw ensuring progress.
Hungary will be without the partisan crowd that helped spur them on to their draw with world champions France last time out, but they can play without pressure in Munich for the win they need.
And the Magyarok have upset the apple cart against stellar opposition in the final group game before – just ask Portugal, their opponents in perhaps the game of EURO 2016.
These teams have never previously met at a EURO final tournament, and this is also their first competitive meeting since the 1954 World Cup final.
Source: sportsbettingdime
