Portugal and France are one victory away FINAL from being the best team in Europe. How do they stack up against each PORTUGAL Singtel TV Ch142 & StarHub Ch220, tomorrow, 2.50am FACE-OFF other for the nale of Euro 2016? FRANCE ROAD TO FINAL MEMORABLE MAJOR TOURNAMENTS SQUAD LEADERS ROAD TO FINAL MEMORABLE MAJOR TOURNAMENTS SQUAD LEADERS Group F: Portugal 1 Iceland 1 1966 World Cup: Led by an inspired Group A: France 2 Romania 1 Euro 1984: France won their rst major • • • • Goals Group F: Portugal 0 Austria 0 Eusebio, Portugal knocked holders Brazil Goals Group A: France 2 Albania 0 football trophy thanks to one man - the • • Antoine Griezmann • Group F: Portugal 3 Hungary 3 out in the group stage, then came back Cristiano Ronaldo, • Group A: France 0 Switzerland 0 irrepressible Michel Platini, who scored nine from 0-3 down to beat North Korea 5-3. Luis Nani (three each) PROBABLE LINE-UP goals in just ve matches at this (six) Last 16: Portugal 1 Croatia 0 Last 16: France 2 Ireland 1 • Unfortunately, Eusebio was nullied by • tournament. The France captain scored (after extra time) Assists Nobby Stiles as England edged them 2-0 in Assists • Q-nals: France 5 Iceland 2 hat-tricks against Belgium and Yugoslavia. Q-nals: Portugal 1 Poland 1 Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, • the semi-nals. Ronaldo, Portugal France • S-nals: France 2 Germany 0 1998 World Cup: They have had great (aet, Portugal win 5-3 on penalties) • Dimitri Payet (two each) (three) players before (Platini, Just Fontaine), but • S-nals: Portugal 2 Wales 0 • Euro 2004: Hosting a major tournament 4-4-2 4-3-3 not until Zinedine Zidane and Co rode a Passing for the rst time, Portugal went all the way Passing tide of popularity as hosts did France nally Blaise Matuidi to the nal, even though their so-called William Carvalho clinch their rst World Cup. They got a bit (92%) Golden Generation (Luis Figo, Nuno Gomes (92%) of luck too - in the nal which they won and Rui Costa) were on their last legs. Sagna easily 3-0, Brazil’s Ronaldo was a shadow of Interceptions Soares Sanches Interceptions Despite featuring a young Cristiano his lethal self after suffering ts. Patrice Evra, Ronaldo, Portugal were unable to nd a way Pepe (12) Griezmann Kante N’Golo Kante past Greece in the nal, losing 0-1. (11 each) Fonte Ronaldo Umtiti Carvalho Giroud Pogba Cristiano v Samuel Patricio Cedric v Dimitri Ronaldo Umtiti Lloris Soares Payet A few weeks ago, Umtiti was Pepe Nani Koscielny Two who have timed their surge. probably France’s ninth-choice Silva Soares only came into the Portugal centre-back. He was uncapped until Payet Matuidi team for the last 16. Payet had to the quarter-nal. But the new convince Didier Deschamps he had Barcelona signing may have to get Alves Mario Evra the mettle to accompany his quality. used to facing Real Madrid’s Now the set-piece specialist has Ronaldo. He was a solid presence been the most creative player in against Germany. The unagging Euro 2016. Soares will have to work Ronaldo, forever shooting and with KEY BATTLES out when to pass him on to William his aerial ability, is a stiffer test. Carvalho or Joao Mario. Renato v Paul Sanches Pogba Pepe v Antoine A contest between the look integral now. They Adrien v Blaise Griezmann next generation of have similar qualities – Silva Matuidi They met six weeks ago in the dominant central pace, strength and a Matuidi began the tournament in midelders. Pogba and Champions League nal, when Pepe catalytic habit – and if undistinguished form but improved Sanches have both and Real Madrid came out on top Pogba has more skill, it when Kante went off against spent time on the and Griezmann missed a penalty. means Sanches has to Ireland and he assumed more bench in this Now the Portuguese is perhaps the follow him back. responsibility. The seless tournament but both best centre-back in Euro 2016 and Silva did a ne job of harrying Griezmann much its nest striker. He Croatia’s Luka Modric and may be darts around target man Olivier asked to repeat that to stie Matuidi, Giroud intelligently with terric though he could also be detailed to movement and wonderful nishing. track Pogba or Moussa Sissoko. STATS ATTACK 4 1975 20 2 Match between Portugal and France in a major Portugal’s last victory against Cristiano Ronaldo has played in more Didier Deschamps could become the second person to France dates back to April 1975, in Photos: EPA, REUTERS, AFP win the European Championships as a player and as a tournament. The French have won the previous three, all Sources: OPTA, RICHARD JOLLY, THE GUARDIAN games than any other player at the in semi-nals (Euro 1984, Euro 2000, World Cup 2006). a friendly (2-0). SUNDAY TIMES GRAPHICS European Championships (20). manager, after Berti Vogts (player in 1972, coach in 1996)..