N’Golo Kante sends France to 2021 Nations League finals
1 min read
France qualified for the 2021 Nations League finals with a 1-0 victory over defending champions Portugal in Lisbon.
The visitors had the better of the first half as Rui Patricio was twice forced to rush from goal to make close-range saves from Anthony Martial. Portugal themselves could have gone ahead in the last minute of the half when Cristiano Ronaldo headed over from a corner from just six yards out.
N’Golo Kante gave France the lead early in the second half when he tapped home from close range after Patrico had parried Adrien Rabiot’s shot. Jose Fonte hit the post for Portugal soon after, and the French survived an incessant bout of pressure in the last 15 minutes to seal the victory.
France now lead Portugal by three points in Group A3, and will win this section whatever happens in the remaining round of matches on Tuesday. The two teams will next face each other in Budapest in the group stages of the European Championship in June 2021.
