When the Portugal national football team and the France national football team clash, the football world takes notice. With both teams boasting an array of legendary players and a record of competitive showdowns, their encounters are nothing short of spectacular.
This head-to-head rivalry is filled with excitement, victories, and intense battles, particularly in the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup.
From Cristiano Ronaldo’s brilliance to Michel Platini’s historic performances, each encounter brings new thrills. Let’s explore this captivating rivalry, focusing on the match history, statistics, and unforgettable moments.
Portugal National Football Team vs France National Football Team Timeline
The history between the Portugal national football team and the France national football team is a tale of intense football rivalry, highlighted by competitive matches in prestigious tournaments like the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup. These two teams have clashed numerous times, delivering memorable moments to football fans around the world.
From early friendly matches to intense knockouts, their meetings on the pitch have always been eagerly anticipated. Although France has dominated the overall Portugal vs France football match history, Portugal has not only held its own but has also secured some of the most important wins in major tournaments.
This rivalry showcases how football can unite nations through the beautiful game, while keeping the competitive fire burning strong. Let’s dive into the captivating timeline of this iconic football rivalry.
Portugal National Football Team: Record vs France
The overall Portugal vs France head-to-head record leans in favor of France, with Portugal winning 6 matches, France winning 20, and 3 matches ending in a draw. The first match took place on April 18, 1926, when France defeated Portugal in a friendly match with a score of 4-2.
Over the years, France’s dominance became evident as they secured most of their victories in friendlies and competitive matches. Despite the imbalance, Portugal football wins against France have often come at crucial moments.
Their most significant triumph was during the UEFA Euro 2016 final on July 10, 2016, where Portugal stunned the French crowd at the Stade de France by winning 1-0 in extra time, thanks to Eder’s decisive goal. This victory gave Portugal its first major international title, marking a turning point in their rivalry with France.
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Games Won by Portugal vs France
Although Portugal has only won 6 matches in this rivalry, some of these victories have been monumental. One of the earliest wins came in March 1927, when Portugal defeated France 4-0 in a friendly match. This result gave Portugal a brief moment of dominance in the rivalry, showing that they could match their French counterparts on their day.
The most iconic win for Portugal came in 2016, during the UEFA European Championship final. Despite losing their captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, to injury in the first half, Portugal showed incredible resilience to hold France to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes.
In the 109th minute of extra time, substitute Eder struck a powerful shot from outside the box, securing a 1-0 victory and making history as Portugal lifted their first-ever major international trophy.
Games Drawn Between Portugal and France
The Portugal vs France football match history also includes several hard-fought draws. One of the most notable draws came recently in the UEFA Nations League on October 11, 2020, where both teams played out a 0-0 stalemate.
Despite the lack of goals, it was a fiercely competitive match, showcasing the defensive strength of both teams. Portugal had 63% possession, but France held firm. Another memorable draw occurred during the UEFA European Championship on June 23, 2021, when the teams met in the group stage.
The match ended 2-2, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice for Portugal, and Karim Benzema netting a brace for France. This exciting encounter reflected the high stakes and quality of both teams, as they battled for supremacy in Europe.
Games Lost by Portugal vs France
The Portugal national football team has suffered several tough losses against the France national football team, many of which came in pivotal moments. One of the most heartbreaking defeats occurred on July 5, 2006, in the FIFA World Cup semi-final, where France triumphed 1-0, thanks to a penalty scored by Zinedine Zidane.
This defeat ended Portugal’s dreams of reaching their first-ever World Cup final. Another significant loss for Portugal came in the UEFA Euro 1984 semi-final on June 23, 1984.
In one of the most thrilling matches in European Championship history, France edged out Portugal 3-2 after extra time, with Michel Platini scoring the winning goal. These losses show how close Portugal has come to major tournament glory, only to be stopped by the strength of the French side.
Portugal vs France Football Match Statistics
When it comes to Portugal vs France football stats, the numbers tell a fascinating story of intense competition. Over the course of their 29 encounters, France has scored 51 goals, while Portugal has managed to score 27 goals.
These statistics highlight the attacking strength of both teams, but also the slight edge that France holds over their Portuguese counterparts. In terms of possession, Portugal has often outperformed France, particularly in recent years.
For example, in their 2020 UEFA Nations League clash, Portugal dominated possession with 63% of the ball, completing 825 passes to France’s 543. These numbers reflect Portugal’s technical ability and control in the midfield, even though they couldn’t always convert possession into victories.
Key Stats: Portugal vs France Football Match
Key statistics from the Portugal vs France head-to-head encounters highlight the close nature of their rivalry. Portugal has scored more from set-pieces, while France has had more success in open play. In terms of defensive stats, France has won more aerial duels, particularly in high-pressure matches like the 2006 World Cup semi-final.
Another notable stat is the number of clean sheets. France has kept 12 clean sheets, while Portugal has managed 7. This demonstrates France’s strong defensive organization over the years, while Portugal’s ability to score crucial goals in key matches has been essential to their recent successes.
Attacking Statistics Comparison
The attacking numbers between Portugal and France show just how competitive these two teams have been. France has been more prolific in front of goal, with 20 total attempts in their most recent matches against Portugal, compared to Portugal’s 15 attempts. France also excels in creating opportunities from wide areas, with crosses proving to be a key part of their attacking strategy.
On the other hand, Portugal has been more efficient in taking advantage of set-piece situations, especially during their Euro 2016 run. Their ability to convert from dead-ball situations has been a defining characteristic in close games, helping them secure crucial victories, including their famous 1-0 win in the Euro 2016 final.
Distribution Stats: Possession and Passing
When it comes to distribution and ball possession, Portugal often holds the upper hand. In their UEFA Nations League match on October 11, 2020, Portugal completed an impressive 825 passes, compared to France’s 543. This highlights the Portuguese team’s emphasis on controlling the game and dictating play from the midfield.
Possession is another area where Portugal tends to dominate, frequently achieving over 60% possession in key matches. However, despite their ball control, France has shown that they can be lethal on the counterattack, often striking quickly and efficiently, as seen in their FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship successes.
Defensive Stats: Tackles and Blocks
Defensively, both teams have proven to be solid, but France has often edged out Portugal in key defensive battles. In their recent encounters, France has completed more clearances and tackles, particularly during their 1-0 win over Portugal in the 2015 UEFA Nations League match.
France also blocked more shots, showing their ability to defend in high-pressure situations. Portugal, on the other hand, has demonstrated excellent organization in defense, with standout performances in key moments.
Their defensive resilience was on full display in the 2016 Euro final, where they held off wave after wave of French attacks, making crucial blocks and clearances to preserve their 1-0 lead.
Goalkeeping and Clean Sheets
In the battle of goalkeepers, both teams have had iconic players between the sticks. France’s Hugo Lloris and Portugal’s Rui Patrício have been pivotal in their respective teams’ successes.
Lloris has kept several clean sheets in matches against Portugal, including the 1-0 win in the 2006 World Cup semi-final, while Patrício was instrumental in the 2016 UEFA European Championship final, keeping a clean sheet in extra time.
Throughout their encounters, clean sheets have been hard to come by, given the attacking prowess of both teams. However, in crucial moments, both teams’ goalkeepers have delivered world-class performances, making game-changing saves that have influenced the outcomes of these intense clashes.
Disciplinary Stats: Fouls and Yellow Cards
In their intense clashes, both the Portugal national football team and the France national football team have exhibited moments of high tension, resulting in fouls and yellow cards. One of the most heated encounters occurred in the 2016 UEFA European Championship final. The game saw a total of 24 fouls committed—13 by Portugal and 11 by France.
The referee issued 5 yellow cards throughout the match, with both teams showing a physical edge while maintaining a level of discipline to avoid red cards. A similar pattern was observed in their UEFA Nations League clash on October 11, 2020, where Portugal committed 12 fouls, and France made 14 fouls, showcasing the high-stakes nature of the game.
However, only 3 yellow cards were issued, emphasizing that although these matches were fiercely competitive, the players managed to stay relatively disciplined under pressure. These matches demonstrate the balance between tactical fouling and maintaining composure on the international stage.
Portugal vs France in UEFA European Championship
The UEFA European Championship has seen multiple encounters between Portugal and France, with some of their most iconic battles taking place in this prestigious tournament. One of the earliest significant encounters was in 1984, during the UEFA Euro semi-final on June 23, 1984, where France narrowly beat Portugal 3-2 after extra time.
This match was filled with drama, with Michel Platini scoring the decisive goal in the 119th minute, breaking Portuguese hearts. The most famous clash came in the 2016 UEFA European Championship final, where Portugal defeated France 1-0 to claim their first-ever international title.
The match, held at the Stade de France on July 10, 2016, will forever be remembered for Eder’s long-range strike in the 109th minute, securing Portugal’s place in history. Despite losing Cristiano Ronaldo to injury early on, Portugal showed incredible resilience and heart to overcome the host nation in one of the most celebrated victories in Portuguese football history.
Portugal vs France in FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup has also played host to intense matches between Portugal and France, with their most famous encounter occurring during the 2006 FIFA World Cup semi-final. On July 5, 2006, France secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Portugal thanks to a penalty scored by Zinedine Zidane in the 33rd minute.
This victory sent France to the final, while Portugal missed out on their first-ever World Cup final appearance. In addition to this crucial match, Portugal and France have met in earlier World Cup qualifiers, with France generally coming out on top.
The 2006 semi-final remains the pinnacle of their World Cup rivalry, but both teams have consistently performed well on the world’s biggest football stage, making every match a significant event.
Portugal vs France in UEFA Nations League
In the newly established UEFA Nations League, the rivalry between Portugal and France continued, adding another chapter to their head-to-head history. On October 11, 2020, the two teams played to a 0-0 draw in the group stage of the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League.
Both teams displayed solid defensive performances, with Portugal dominating possession with 63% but unable to break through France’s backline.
In the return fixture on November 14, 2020, held at the Stade de France, France secured a 1-0 victory over Portugal, with N’Golo Kanté scoring the only goal of the match in the 53rd minute. This result ensured that France topped their group, showcasing their tactical superiority in a tightly contested encounter.
Notable Portugal vs France Friendlies
Throughout the decades, Portugal and France have faced each other in several international friendlies, offering opportunities to test their squads outside of competitive tournaments. One notable friendly match took place on March 25, 1981, when France defeated Portugal 2-0 in Lisbon, thanks to goals from Michel Platini and Bernard Lacombe.
This match highlighted France’s dominance during the early 1980s, as they were building a team that would go on to win the 1984 UEFA European Championship. In a more recent friendly, on September 4, 2015, France defeated Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon once again, with Mathieu Valbuena scoring a stunning free-kick in the 85th minute.
Despite the loss, Portugal used this match as part of their preparations for their historic Euro 2016 triumph the following summer. These friendlies have allowed both teams to refine their tactics and assess their strengths ahead of major tournaments.
Historic Wins of Portugal Over France
Portugal’s historic victories over France have often come at crucial moments, none more so than their Euro 2016 triumph. However, another important victory came in the 1956 friendly, where Portugal won 3-1, shocking the French team.
This victory gave Portugal momentum in the build-up to their rise as a competitive European football nation. The most recent significant victory was in Euro 2016, as mentioned earlier, where Portugal won 1-0 in extra time.
This result marked the end of France’s long-standing dominance over Portugal in major tournaments, providing the Portuguese squad with immense confidence moving forward. These victories, though few, have had a lasting impact on Portugal’s football history and rivalry with France.
Portugal vs France Penalty Shootouts
Although Portugal and France have played many tightly contested matches, none of their encounters have been decided by a penalty shootout. Both teams have, however, been involved in numerous shootouts in other competitions, showcasing their mental toughness in high-pressure situations.
It remains a tantalizing prospect to see these two sides square off in such a dramatic conclusion in future encounters. Penalty shootouts have become a defining element of major football tournaments, and both Portugal and France have had their fair share of triumphs and heartbreaks in shootouts against other nations.
Should these two teams ever face off in a penalty shootout, it would undoubtedly be one of the most thrilling moments in their storied rivalry.
Portugal vs France Possession Comparison
When it comes to ball possession, Portugal often excels in controlling the pace of the game, particularly in recent years. In their UEFA Nations League clash on October 11, 2020, Portugal dominated with 63% possession, demonstrating their ability to keep the ball and dictate play.
However, despite this dominance, they struggled to break through France’s disciplined defense, resulting in a 0-0 draw. In contrast, France has proven to be highly effective on the counterattack, preferring a more direct approach when they have possession.
In their 1-0 win over Portugal on November 14, 2020, France had only 38% possession, yet managed to score the winning goal, showing how they can thrive with limited possession by maximizing their offensive efficiency.
Key Players in Portugal vs France Matches
Over the years, several key players have made a significant impact in the Portugal vs France football match history. Cristiano Ronaldo, undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the world, has played in multiple matches against France, scoring crucial goals, including two penalties in the 2021 UEFA European Championship group stage.
Despite being forced off with an injury during the 2016 Euro final, Ronaldo’s leadership from the sidelines inspired Portugal to victory. On the French side, Michel Platini remains a legend, particularly for his heroics in the 1984 European Championship, where he scored the winning goal in the semi-final against Portugal.
In more recent times, N’Golo Kanté has proven to be a key figure, particularly with his match-winning goal in the 2020 UEFA Nations League. Both teams have produced footballing icons who have defined this intense rivalry.
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Quick Facts
- Total Matches Played: 29
- Portugal Wins: 6
- France Wins: 20
- Draws: 3
- First Match: April 18, 1926 (France 4-2 Portugal)
- Most Recent Match: November 14, 2020 (France 1-0 Portugal)
Final Thoughts
The timeline of matches between the Portugal national football team and the France national football team is filled with thrilling moments, historical wins, and individual brilliance. While France holds the overall advantage in the head-to-head record, Portugal’s victories in crucial moments, especially their Euro 2016 triumph, have added a new dimension to this rivalry.
As both teams continue to compete on the international stage, fans eagerly anticipate future encounters, knowing that each match could deliver another chapter of unforgettable football.
FAQs
How many times have Portugal and France faced each other in football?
As of 2024, Portugal and France have faced each other 29 times across various competitions and friendlies. France leads the head-to-head with 20 wins, while Portugal has won 6 times, and there have been 3 draws.
What is the most famous Portugal vs France match?
The most famous encounter between Portugal and France is the 2016 UEFA European Championship final, held on July 10, 2016, where Portugal won 1-0 in extra time thanks to Eder’s goal, securing their first-ever major international trophy.
How many times has Portugal beaten France in competitive matches?
Portugal has defeated France in competitive matches 6 times, with their most notable victory being the Euro 2016 final. Other wins came in friendlies and UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Which players have had the biggest impact in Portugal vs France matches?
Key players include Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been pivotal for Portugal in several matches, and Michel Platini, whose goal in the 1984 Euro semi-final is legendary for France. More recently, N’Golo Kanté has made an impact, notably scoring the winning goal in the 2020 UEFA Nations League match.
Have Portugal and France ever faced each other in a FIFA World Cup final?
No, Portugal and France have never faced each other in a FIFA World Cup final. However, they played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup semi-final, where France won 1-0 to advance to the final.
How often do Portugal and France play against each other in UEFA Nations League?
Portugal and France have faced each other multiple times in the UEFA Nations League, with notable matches in the 2020-21 season, where they drew 0-0 in one game, and France won the other 1-0.
What is Portugal’s most significant win over France?
Portugal’s most significant win over France is the 1-0 victory in the 2016 UEFA European Championship final, where Eder scored the winning goal in extra time, securing Portugal’s first-ever international trophy.
Has any Portugal vs France match gone to a penalty shootout?
No, none of the matches between Portugal and France have gone to a penalty shootout yet, though many have been closely contested with late goals deciding the outcome.
Where was the 2016 UEFA European Championship final between Portugal and France held?
The 2016 UEFA European Championship final was held at the Stade de France in Paris on July 10, 2016, where Portugal defeated France 1-0 in extra time.
Who scored the winning goal for Portugal in the 2016 UEFA European Championship final?
Eder scored the winning goal for Portugal in the 109th minute of the 2016 UEFA European Championship final, leading his team to a 1-0 victory over France.
