European Championship qualifying is in full swing, and while this match won’t directly alter the qualifying standings in Group I, how it plays out could affect how the rest of the group runs. Portugal are on top for now, but haven’t been playing well of late, but a big win here could help them build momentum as they try to win the group and continue down their path to Euro 2016.
France vs. Portugal 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Neither France nor Portugal have been impressive of late, so with the European Championships coming up next summer, both will be looking to build momentum.
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France have been struggling more, and while their place in the Euros is assured as the hosts, they’ll want to have more positive performances under their belt before the tournament begins. If they can stonewall Portugal in this match, not only can they stonewall that team’s momentum, they can build some of their own and potentially start wrecking the dreams of other teams in the group, as well. France may not be earning qualifying points, but if they get hot they can start wrecking the form of the rest of the group, throwing an already tight mix into disarray.
What does this match mean?
While both teams are technically part of Group I in European Championship qualifying, because France are automatically qualified as the host of the Euros, this is actually a friendly. Whose bright idea it was to put the hosts in a qualifying group should have their head examined, but that’s neither here nor there. France will still be looking to win here, as they’ve been on a bit of a tailspin of late, losing three of their last four matches, including one to Albania. They need to start building momentum with less than a year to go until the Euros start, so the time is now for their rise to begin.
Portugal’s results have been better, but their performances have been fairly lackluster, with all three of their wins in 2015 coming by one-goal margins against a poor Serbia, an outmatched Albania and a mediocre Italy. Their loss came with a B team on the pitch -- but Portugal’s B team still should not have lost 2-0 to Cape Verde. They need to start turning around their form down the stretch, especially since they have only a two-point lead in the group standings, sitting in 12 points while Denmark and Albania each have 10. If Cristiano Ronaldo and company don’t get their act together, they risk slipping to third place and facing the uncertainty of a playoff to make the final tournament.
Key Matchup: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) vs. Raphael Varane (France)
Ronaldo is one of the best players on the face of the earth, but he’s been inconsistent with Portugal since the World Cup. In order to beat France, Portugal need him at his best again, because Varane and the rest of that defense will be a tough nut to crack without him. He’s the focus of their attack, and with Nani and Ricardo Quearesma struggling early in their club season in Turkey, if Ronaldo can’t get the best of his Real Madrid teammate Varane, it’s going to be a long and unpleasant day for Portugal.
Match Date/Time: Friday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
TV: ESPN2 (U.S. -- English), Fox Deportes (U.S. -- Spanish), TF1 (France), RTP 1 (Portugal)
Online: Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S.)
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