A repeat of the 2016 European Championship final between France and Portugal did not yield a winner on Sunday evening. In Paris, all the big names were at the kick-off, but despite this, there were no goals in the Nations League game. Les Bleus managed to hand out only a few pinpricks, while the reigning European champion was given the best opportunities. Only in injury time were the visitors actually close to the winning goal.

The match was only a minute old when Olivier Giroud received a hard elbow blow from Ruben Dias to the back of the head. The striker went to the ground with great pain, but was able to continue the game. It was a first half in which the game went up and down. Huge opportunities failed to materialize. Cristiano Ronaldo had a free shooting opportunity in the penalty area, but just as he lashed out, Lucas Hernández threw himself in front of the shot and avoided falling behind. On the other side of the field, Antoine Griezmann had a small chance. He was sent in by Paul Pogba and tried from a difficult angle. Goalkeeper Rui Patricio had little difficulty in reversing the efforts of the Barcelona attacker.

Ten minutes before half time, Bruno Fernandes delivered a measured cross. Ronaldo managed to score from close range, but João Félix showed up at the first post and killed the chance. Moments later it was Giroud who got a chance. The Chelsea striker suddenly got the ball in front of his feet and did not think: his shot went over the Portuguese goal. The game image was unchanged after the break; both teams played for the win and were given opportunities to score. Kylian Mbappé showed his class at times, but his actions were defused time and again by the Portuguese defense.

Twenty minutes before the end, Portugal seemed to take the lead. A cross from the left flank was worked with the head against the ropes by Pepe. However, the routine was offside and his goal was therefore rightly rejected. In the final phase, both national coaches changed a lot and that led to two more opportunities for the visitors. Renato Sanches made another attempt in injury time with a shot from a difficult angle. Lloris was in the right place and could pick it up. Moments later, the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper had to take action again on a shot from Ronaldo. Despite the ball being changed direction by Pavard, the closing post was able to prevent a goal. Where Éder scored the winning goal in Paris four years ago, the game on Sunday evening did not yield a winner.