Portugal 0-0 France - Rui Jorge’s side claim an important point at the 2025 UEFA European U21 Championship | OneFootball

Portugal began their 2025 UEFA European U21 Championship campaign with a 0-0 draw against France. The Equipa das Quinas were the better side in Trenčín with Paulo Bernardo, Roger Fernandes and Tiago Tomás denied early on.

Rui Jorge’s side conceded a penalty in the 29th minute that was overruled by the VAR. France turned the tide in the second half but were unable to seriously test Samuel Soares.

The game opened up in the closing stages but the deadlock wouldn’t be broken, both teams ultimately content with a point before taking on Poland and Georgia in Group C.

Portugal 0-0 France

Portugal had a great chance in the 14th minute when Geovany Quenda got the ball to Paulo Bernardo who saw his shot blocked by Chrislain Matsima. Bernardo did well to steer the rebound to Roger Fernandes who was denied by a goal line clearance from Castello Lukeba.

Tiago Tomás then outmuscled Matsima, getting past the defender with Guillaume Restes coming off his line to make an important save. Quenda headed Roger’s cross over the bar as the chances kept coming.

A loose pass from Quentin Merlin presented Portugal with their next opportunity that fell to Roger, his shot blocked by Ismaël Doukouré.

Rui Jorge’s side dodged a bullet in the 29th minute when referee Manfredas Lukjančukas awarded France a penalty. Matthis Abline had got past Rafael Rodrigues who brought the forward down near the byline, VAR ruling that the challenge occurred inches outside the box.

Rui Jorge made a substitution at half-time, bringing on Flávio Nazinho for Rafael Rodrigues.

France began the second half strong and continually applied pressure to Portugal’s defence without testing Samuel Soares.

Jorge made two more changes in the 60th minute, overhauling his wide men with Quenda and Roger replaced by Rodrigo Gomes and Carlos Forbs. Gérald Baticle went to his bench for the first time two minutes later when Abline made way for Thierno Barry.

The contest began to open up at both ends, Gomes firing a difficult chance over the bar and Mathys Tel shooting straight at Soares before being replaced by Loum Tchaouna.

Portugal were making plenty of inroads down the left wing, Nazinho creating a chance for Bernardo and Forbs unable to pick out an unmarked Gomes. Tomás was exhausted and replaced in the 80th minute when Gustavo Sá entered the fray.

The final two chances fell for France, Nazinho denying Odobert and Johann Lepenant’s shot saved by Soares.

By Matthew Marshall at Stadion Sihot

Line Ups

Portugal (4-3-3): Samuel Soares; Rodrigo Pinheiro, João Muniz, Chico Lamba, Rafael Rodrigues (Flávio Nazinho 46’); Mateus Fernandes, Diogo Nascimento, Paulo Bernardo; Geovany Quenda (Rodrigo Gomes 60’), Tiago Tomás (Gustavo Sá 80’), Roger Fernandes (Carlos Forbs 60’)

Unused substitutes: João Carvalho, Diogo Pinto, Christian Marques, Lourenço Figueiredo, Mathias De Amorim, João Marques, Pedro Santos, Henrique Araújo

France (4-3-3): Guillaume Restes; Kiliann Sildillia, Chrislain Matsima, Castello Lukeba, Quentin Merlin; Andy Diouf, Johann Lepenant, Ismaël Doukouré (Soungoutou Magassa 88’); Mathys Tel (Loum Tchaouna 77’), Matthis Abline, (Thierno Barry 62’) Wilson Odobert