France are gearing up for a crucial showdown with Portugal in the UEFA Nations League. This fixture, the penultimate group-stage match, could decide who moves on to the finals. Unfortunately, Les Bleus will be without one of their most influential players.
That man is none other than Kylian Mbappe, the PSG superstar who burst on to the scene as a Monaco sensation before growing to be one of the deadliest goalscorers in world football. The Ligue 1 ace traveled for international duty nursing a thigh injury, with the matchday squad lists sent to UEFA all but confirming his absence.
The hope was he would recover in time to lock horns with Cristiano and Co. Unfortunately, Deschamps must do without the 21-year-old goalscoring machine in a match that could decide the fate of Group 3.
With France and Portugal being tied on 10 points each on the fifth and penultimate matchday, whoever wins this tie will secure progression to the finals – a draw would delay things until the final day. The FIFA World Cup holders are the visitors and thus do not boast the home advantage but will be hopeful of a victory over the reigning champions nonetheless.
Their recent results have been a worry, however. Les Bleus head into this tie on the back of an embarrassing 2-0 loss to Finland and have won only one of their last three games, drawing 0-0 with Portugal earlier last month.
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